Police in Salima arrested four suspects for the offences of conduct likely to cause breach of peace and malicious damage.

They have been identified as Paul Jekete, 35, from Chembe Village in Traditional Authority Makanjira, Mikiyama James, 22, from Katete Village, Catherine Kalimmanja, 26 from Kakhomwa Village and Chipiliro Mbaza 35 from Kakhomwa village in Traditional Authority Kambwiri in Salima District.

According to Salima Police Public Relations Officer, Jacob Khembo, it is alleged that, on November 24, 2021, people from Group Village Headman Kakhomwa maliciously damaged the motor vehicle belonging to Mr Mphatso Namwali over a land issue.

This forced the law enforcers to organize a raid on the night of December 4, 2021, where Maria John, 46 and Robert Mdala, 30 got arrested in connection to case.

The news concerning the arrest of the two, angered their relatives and other sympathizers who on December 5, organized a march from their areas to Salima Police Station demanding the hasty release of the two.

The police failed to meet their demand which caused some of the people to start pelting stones at the police officers.

The law enforcers dispersed the crowd using teargas but some kept on stoning other government offices like Council and National Registration Bureau where some office glasses got damaged.

The four were spotted and arrested during the fracas and they will soon appear in court to answer the charge of malicious damage.

Meanwhile, Police in the district appeal to the public to desist from taking the law into their hands and should instead refer matters to relevant authorities when they feel offended or where they don’t understand something.