After waiting for more than three decades for a local police presence, residents of Muthuka Trading Centre in Phalombe District, have expressed concern over the delay to complete the long-awaited police unit.
Residents say they have waited for more than 30 years for a local police unit, noting that their first request for a police post was made in 1995 following a surge in theft and insecurity at the trading centre.
Group Village Headman Muthuka said expectations were raised in 2025 when construction of the Muthuka Police Unit finally began. However, the facility remains unfinished and non-operational, a delay he believes has hindered business growth and exposed the community to persistent crime.
“We have been lobbying for this police unit since 1995. When construction started in 2025, we thought our security problems would finally come to an end,” he said. “This delay is affecting development. Business people are afraid to invest because of theft cases.”
Market chairperson Chiwanda Gama said the absence of police officers has forced residents to take dangerous risks.
“There have been several instances where community members caught suspected thieves and had to escort them to a distant police station,” he said. “It is dangerous for both the suspects and those escorting them.”
Meanwhile, Phalombe District Commissioner Yobu Makina Gama in an interview with local media assured residents that the unit will be completed.
Civil society organizations have urged authorities to act with urgency. Vincent Thom, Executive Director of the Phalombe Youth Arms Organization, said the delay continues to hurt the community.
“We hope the facility will soon start helping the Muthuka community,” he said.
