Capital Hill, the seat of Malawi government, is fast turning into a sore sight because of theft, vandalism and neglect.
The complex, which houses most government ministries, is surrounded by a fence that is half bricks and half metal bars.
Its fence is heavily vandalised. A large area of the fence has no metal bars. The bars have been sliced away using hack saws.
On one end of the complex, a path that looks like is regularly used has been marked out and cuts over a fence going to Area 18, making one wonder why there are heavily armed policemen on the front gate when anyone can come in from the back.
This is also true with the south-western gate which connects people to the Kamuzu Mausoleum. The gate is not manned and streams of people come in and out. Some people use Capital Hill as a shortcut from Area 18 to Area 11.
There are efforts to line the streets inside Capital Hill with lights. The lights will be solar-powered. A few poles have been erected but the poles have already fallen prey to vandalism even before the lights have been switched on.
Deputy national police spokesperson Kevin Maigwa said Lingadzi Police have dealt with several cases of vandalism at Capital Hill.
“People who were arrested for stealing the fence wire and poles are now serving at Maula Prison. In relation to electric poles, no one has been arrested yet but it is under investigations. Lingadzi Police held a security meeting with the electrical contractor there plus other relevant stakeholders concerning the same issue and we are sure the cases will cease.
“Police population is insufficient and it’s not possible to put an officer at every corner of the place,” said Maigwa.
