16 arrested for hijacking minibuses

Police in Nkhata Bay have arrested a gang from Chinguluwe Village in the district suspected to have been blocking minibuses to attack members of rival Mpamba Village.

Northern Region Police spokesperson Maurice Chapola confirmed the arrest of the 16 yesterday, saying they have since been charged with threatening violence contrary to Section 86 of the Penal Code.

He said some members of Chinguluwe village attended a disco at Mpamba last week, but on their way back they provoked and were attacked by some watchmen and residents from Mpamba.

“Police followed up the matter and arrested James Lwesha of Nthulinga Village, [Traditional Authority] T/A Timbiri. Despite police’s intervention, tension between Mpamba and Chinguluwe residents grew to the extent that youths from both sides were teaming up to fight,” said Chapola.

On Monday, youth from Chinguluwe blocked minibuses coming from Mpamba, searched them and assaulted anyone from Mpamba they would find on board.

On the other hand, the Mpamba camp wanted to beat Chinguluwe pupils at Mpamba Community Day Secondary School (CDSS).

Chapola said police have contained the situation, adding that the 16 will be appear before court soon.

In an interview yesterday, T/A Timbiri condemned the violence, saying members of Chinguluwe have been ordered to apologise for initiating the violence.

“I also asked my village heads under advise their subjects that violence will not take us anywhere. We have to live as one and everyone should spread the message of love,” he said. n