Minister of Trade and Industry Vitumbiko Mumba has bemoaned the recent vandalism of a poultry farm in M’bwatalika, Lilongwe, warning the impact extends beyond the affected companies.
Speaking after inspecting the ruins at Central Poultry (CP) Limited’s Mpingu Farm on Friday, the minister said the estimated K3 billion loss at the facility crippled the company’s broiler breeding operations.
“These were not just chickens. They were breeders which are the backbone of broiler production. With them gone, the company may not be able to breed broilers for at least the next several months,” said Mumba.
He lamented that the vandalism has ultimately disrupted the local poultry supply chain, export potential and foreign exchange earnings.
In the circumstances, Mumba said the situation may prompt government to temporarily lift its ban on poultry imports to cushion the domestic industry.
He said: “That move could drain scarce foreign exchange. People may have enjoyed chicken for a day, but they’ve unknowingly feasted on the country’s economic backbone.
“This is not just a criminal act; it’s economic sabotage. We must send a clear message that such behaviour will not go unpunished.”
CP Limited executive director Yaseen Kasmani said that full recovery of operations at the affected farms could take six to nine months, given the scale of damage.
But while expressing sympathy, the minister also faulted the company’s lax security, saying: “You can’t protect multi-billion kwacha infrastructure with unarmed guards and no surveillance. It’s not just ineffective. It’s an invitation to vandals.”
Mumba advised CP to adopt a three-tier security system combining perimeter walls, electric fencing and laser-triggered alarms.
He also asked the company to build a good relationship with the community by publicising its corporate social responsibility to gain trust.
The assault on CP’s farms on Wednesday and Thursday came barely days after a similar raid on Thanzi Chicks Limited’s farm on Tuesday within the same area.
In total, six CP farms were affected by the violence, causing loss of an estimated 55 000 birds, farm infrastructure and personal property of staff.
Kasmani said the company acknowledged the minister’s advice and will soon upgrade its farm security and enhance community engagement.
Meanwhile, police say they have arrested about 56 suspects in connection with the attacks and investigations are ongoing.
Central West Region Deputy Commissioner of Police Vallie Felix Phiri said in an interview police were investigating the underlying causes of the violence, including possible coordination among perpetrators and any signs of community resentment.
“We don’t want to divulge more information as that would jeopardise our investigations,” he said.
