At least nine men have been arrested by police for allegedly digging a drainage across tarmac road to allow flooded water to flow across the road recede in Mulanje district

Phalombe Police Publicist, Sergeant innocent Moses confirmed the arrest of the people.

According to Moses the nine have been netted digging the newly constructed Zomba – Jali – Phalombe – Chitakale road.

Moses added that the area has been receiving heavy rains throughout the night of Tuesday,   a development that led to the swelling of Nakamba stream thereby affecting some houses in Mphulanya village.

Sergeant Moses said the development forced some men in the area on Wednesday morning to rush to the tarmac road where they started digging a drainage across the road so that flooded water could flow across to the other side of the road.

He said the police got a tip and rushed to the scene where they found the nine and arrested them.

“The suspects will appear in court soon to answer charges of malicious damage which have been leveled against them,” said Moses.

The suspects,   Dalitso Mitumba, 33, Feston Phulanya, 50, Frank Justain, 38, Brian Mponda, 18, Sautso Lucius, 24, Rogers Julius, 25, Goodwell Nyalugwe, 58, Philemon Katiwa, 51, come from the area of Traditional Authority Ndanga in Mulanje district, while Kenneth Juma, 25, comes from Mumbuwa village.

Meanwhile, police in the district have challenged people to seek guidance from relevant authorities to avoid such behavior.