Group village head (GVH) Katema of Traditional Authority (T/A) Mponda in Mangochi has apologised to the Malawi Police Service (MPS) following the vandalism of a police unit in his area.
On Monday, angry community members from the area stormed Katema Police Unit and accused officers of shielding a murder suspect.
out of order. | Ayamba Kandodo
Frustrated with the police’s response, the mob vandalised the unit, destroyed three staff houses and damaged private properties.
The mob also smashed a Toyota Land Cruiser registration MP 2534 belonging to Mangochi Police Station.
It is also alleged that K2.4 million was stolen from the officer-in-charge’s office during the chaos.
The violence prompted Mangochi Police Station to shut down the formation and relocate officers for their safety.
But speaking in an interview on Wednesday, GVH Katema condemned his people’s actions.
“What my people did was completely out of order. They should have engaged the police in dialogue instead of resorting to destruction,” he said.
The chief vowed to work with community leaders and policing structures to identify and bring those responsible to justice.
Katema Ward councillor Allan Sam M’madi also condemned the community members’ behaviour, describing it as regrettable.
In response, Mangochi Police Station officer-in-charge Morgan Dzonzi said he cannot say anything about the reopening of the formation because he does not have the chief’s formal apology.
“I am hearing from you that there is an apology. But here, we do not have any formal apology from the community,” he said.
Meanwhile, National Initiative for Civic Education Trust has also condemned the violence.
