Murder cases rise in Mzimba

Police in Mzimba have bemoaned a rise in murder cases in the district, saying more lives would be saved if people settled disputes through dialogue not machetes.

According to Mzimba Police Station spokesperson Peter Botha, the district registered 37 cases last year—up from 28 in 2016.

“Most of the cases were a result of wrangles in drinking joints and family disputes,” he said.

Botha urged people against taking the law into their hands when they pick quarrels.

Mzimba has already recorded two cases this year, he said.

“Previously, we had problems with suicide and defilement cases. In the just-ended year, we had problems with murder,” said Botha.

Police in the district plan to intensify civic education campaigns on the importance of dialogue and case-handling institutions.

Psychologist Professor Chiwoza Bandawe said murder cases generally occur as a result of frustrations.

“People who do not know how to control their emotions resolve to committing murder. People have to know that there are other ways to manage their emotions other than engaging in crime,” he said.

There is also a growing number of suicide cases in Mzimba, up from 16 in 2016 to 19 cases last year.

There have been three cases in the past two weeks.n