The Community of Mchini compound in Chipata has called on prison authorities to ensure that inmates incarcerated at Namseche Prison are not allowed to mingle freely with the general public in the area.
The call comes in a wake of a spate of homicide cases that have occurred in the area in the recent past.
Mchini Security Committee Vice Secretary, Margaret Daka, said prisoners were not diligently guarded by authorities at Namseche Prison as some have been seen freely moving about in the community.
Ms. Daka has alleged that some were allegedly selling Kapenta, beans and other food stuffs allegedly taken from the prison.
He was speaking yesterday at a meeting called by Chipata Central Member of Parliament, Lameck Mangani, to find a lasting solution towards the murder cases and attacks that have rocked the compound.
She said the prisoners were also fond of drinking beer in the compound when they were supposed to be kept behind bars all the time.
Ms. Daka alleged that the inmates also engaged into sexual relationships with women in Mchini compound.
“We do not know who is behind the killings of innocent people in this area but for us to be safe, the prisoners should always be guarded and should not be allowed to move around in the compound without prison warders,” she said.
And Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer, Mary Chikwanda, expressed disappointment of the reported murder cases in the area.
Ms. Chikwanda ,however, observed that the murder cases were occurring in different parts of the district and were not exclusive to Mchini compound in Chipata.
She said police would intensify patrols in conjunction with the Neighborhood Watch Committee.
Ms. Chikwanda appealed to residents to report suspicious looking people to police and the neighborhood watch committee.
And Chipata Central Member of Parliament, Lameck Mangani, said a container would be taken to Mchini compound to be used as a police post as a short-term measure.
Mr. Mangani, who is also Lusaka Province Minister, said there was need to find a way of stopping the murder cases so that peace and security could prevail in the area.
He has since cautioned women in Mchini compound in Chipata to desist from engaging in sexual relationships with prisoners.
Mr. Mangani pointed out that it was an offence to co-habit with a convicted criminal.
ZANIS
This is the same place where the peeing monkey came from.
RB please help?
woman of substance eya ni apopene
The minister and commanding officer have no good reason in this case. The secretary Ms Daka right and straight forward. Allowing prisoners free movements mean that the MP and minister are being paid for nothing. And a container as a police post.. funny and shameful