Robbers terrorise Manja, dismantle vehicles

Residents of Manja in Blantyre are living in fear following a spate of night robberies in which the robbers mostly target vehicles.

In the past two weeks, the robbers have carted away car batteries, radios and distributors from about 14 vehicles.

The vandalised vehicles include that of a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) parliamentarian, a husband to a police officer and a Nation Publications Limited (NPL) journalist.

The robbers have been jumping brick fences, including some fixed with barbed wire.

Last Friday night, three neighbouring houses were targeted and four vehicles burgled.

Residents blame the current electricity load-shedding for the increased robberies.

“Our safety is steadily put at risk. How can they raid three neighbouring houses in one night? It shows they.

“We appeal to police for protection. It is high time they intensified night patrols and not just stocking traffic police officers on the roads,” lamented a banker, one of the victims.

Ironically, the robbery infested township is located just a stone’s throw away from Soche Police Sub-station.

Blantyre Police spokesperson Elizabeth Divala confirmed about the robberies being reported but could not corroborate the statistics. She said the police have positive leads and hope to cripple the gang soon.

An officer at Soche Police said over the past weeks, three to four such cases are recorded daily from Manja and surrounding areas such as Nkolokosa and Chitawira.