As the country awaits court ruling on the presidential election case,Officer In-Charge for Balaka Police, Maximus Bakali on Sunday underscored the need for communities in the district to safeguard the existing peace and security that the district was enjoying.
Bakali said violence and destruction of both government and other people’s property will only make Balaka District poorer than before.
He made the remarks during Eucharistic celebration at Saint Louis Montfort Balaka Parish where he, together with his officers from Balaka Police engaged Christians at the church in a confidence- building and anti political violence campaign.
“Let us refrain from violence and kill each other during this period and when the court ruling has been given.
“People have demonstrated enough. They wanted to show their anger, yes people have the freedom to do so, but they should also consider the responsibility that they have.
“Let us keep Balaka, let us be on guard for one another, and let us not destroy other people’s property in the name of demonstrations,” he said.
According to Bakali, there is need for collaborated effort to ensure that the district is safe and secured during the concerned period and beyond.
“As it stands, in Malawi there are only 15, 000 police officers against a population of millions. On our own we cannot provide security but with you, we always manage.
“Thank you for working hand in hand with the police,” he said.
In a separate interview, Sub Inspector Harrison Nogwe from the Victim Support Unit at Balaka Police said they have so far reached out to Balaka CCAP Church. He said they were now planning to engage Christians at Balaka Assemblies of God Church.
“We will not limit ourselves to churches but also roll out to the communities so that everyone is reached as the churches are all centred within the town,” he said.
The High Court is expected to give its ruling on the election case between January 27, 2020 and February 3, 2020.
