Melu MDF Camp to be upgraded into a garrison—minister

Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Symon Vuwa Kaunda has said government plans to build houses for Malawi Defence Force (MDF) personnel at Melu Military Camp in Chitipa.

Speaking during a recent meeting with Chitipa District Council officials, the minister said being a border district with Tanzania and Zambia, Chitipa  needs good institutional houses.

“I am also aware that MDF is upgrading its operations in the North and intends to upgrade its Melu Camp into a garrison; hence, the need to construct houses to provide better accommodation to the officers,” he said.

During the visit, the minister also toured construction sites of houses at Chitipa Prison and Chitipa Police Station where he observed that the prison does not have adequate land for new houses.

Regional Prisons officer (North) Thomas Damba said Chitipa Prison currently has 44 staff members who live in rented houses.

“We don’t have a single house at the institution.  This is not good because officers should live close to the prison for security and safety of inmates,” he said.

Kaunda later conducted a rally at Kasisi in Chitipa North where he urged people of different political affiliations to refrain from acts of violence.