Police in Chiradzulu have arrested 17 guards for vandalising Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) improvised water intake system which they were guarding in the district.

Public Relations Officer for Chiradzulu Police, Constable Cosmas Kagulo confirmed the arrests saying the 17 were protesting that they did not receive their two months’ salaries.

Kagulo explained that the incident occurred during the night of 14 and 15 August, 2023 at the water board site.

According to Kagulo investigations found out that SRWB offered a contract to a security company to provide security at the office, tanks and under-construction water intake points in the district.

“The guards are alleging that they did not receive their salaries for the months of June and July. We further gathered that the suspects wrote a petition to the water board expressing their anger and threatened to deal with any officer who will report for duties at the offices.

“However, the suspects instead of waiting for the response from the Board headquarters in Zomba, they resorted to damage water intake and removed the drain plug for the two tanks which compromised water supply to residents and offices around Chiradzulu Boma for two days,” he said.

Kagulo said when the matter was reported to Chiradzulu Police Station, all 17 security guards were arrested for malicious damage.

The suspects, who are in custody, will appear before court to answer charges levelled against them.