The South East Police Region Commissioner Chikondi Chingaza has challenged local communities around Thekerani in Thyolo to construct a standard police unit after some furious members set on fire one in the area over disagreements with the police.

Chingaza, while condemning the violent acts that led to the burning down of the unit which is now hindering development, said police are equally unhappy with insecurity, pledging once the structure is built, she will deploy officers to the area.

The Commissioner was responding to Senior Chief Nsabwe who indicated that in the absence of the police unit in the area, survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the area are covering long distances to report the cases.

This has come out today as the district is observing the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence at Thekerani Primary school ground.

On May 25th this year, community members in Thyolo destroyed and burnt to the ground Thekerani Police Unit following the death of a suspect who was found dead in the police cell.

According to reports, this is the third incident this year alone in the district after communities also destroyed Bvumbwe and Khonjeni Police Units on similar manner.