Communities around Sakata police unit in Zomba have bemoaned shortage of staff and houses for police officers working at the unit as theft and robbery cases are said to be on the rise.

A visit at the police unit discovered that despite being required to provide security to over 250 villages, the police unit has only two police officers who are also living in small dilapidated houses and have no reliable means of transport.

Speaking in an interview, Chairperson for the area’s community policing forum Mr Grey Moses Khonsolo said the situation is negatively affecting provision of security to community members.

“The situation is just too bad, our only two police officers are required to provide services to over 250 villages from the area of sub-traditional Authority Nkagula and other surrounding areas and this is really affecting security in this area” said Mr. Khonsolo.

He added that the police unit has only one bicycle which the two police officers use.
Eastern region police spokesperson Inspector Thomeck Nyaude conceded some of the problems and said authorities will look into the problems.

“We know Sakata police unit has some few problems among them shortage of staff and houses but we will look into that” said Inspector Nyaude.

Meanwhile community members in the area have asked government to increase the number of police officers working at the unit and to construct houses and a good office for the police officers adding that the current structure being used as an office and police cell is also in bad state.