Malawi Government has ordered residents of Mkanda to rebuild the police unit they razed in December.
Residents, angry with the arrest of a man who was allegedly found with 100 litres of petrol without proper documents, descended on the unit and set it on fire.
Speaking at Mkanda Secondary School on Wednesday, Mchinji district commissioner (DC) Gasten Macheka said the responsibility of rebuilding the unit falls in the hands of the community.
He said those who set the police unit on fire need to be investigated.
“In Mchinji nothing of this sort has ever happened and I suspect that these are not Malawians. Even though they are not Malawians, this unit must be rebuilt as soon as possible by you,” said Macheka.
Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture, who is also Member of Parliament for the area, Rachel Mazombwe Zulu, said it is sad the incident happened.
“I cannot go to Parliament and ask for a new police unit because parliamentarians will feel I am abusing resources. Because of this, I am saying the police unit must be rebuilt,” she said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Masauko Medi said they are ready to deploy officers if structures are provided.
Senior Chief Mkanda said he will mobilise his subjects to rebuild the unit.
He said chiefs in the area donated a building to be used as an office as they await building a permanent structure.
“I would like to announce to you that we have decided to donate a building which is opposite the old burnt police unit for the police to use as a temporary office,” said Mkanda.
