Mtendere residents have expressed concern over the escalation of criminal cases in the area due to the prolonged closure of a police post.
Speaking in an interview with the Lusaka Star, one of the affected residents Francis Chola said the police post had been closed for the past nine months as it was declared unfit during last year’s Cholera outbreak.
He said this was a move by government through the Lusaka City Council to ensure that no inmate was affected by the outbreak.
Another resident, Alice Banda was disgruntled over the closure and that it had resulted in an increase of criminal cases which made people not able to move freely during the night.
Mrs Banda made a plea to relevant authorities to look into the matter and ensure that it was quickly attended to as residents were now living under great fear.
Meanwhile, Mtendere area councilor Chibembele Mtonga said his office had received the numerous complaints by the residents and that the Lusaka City Council was looking into the matter so as to build a new and conducive police post.
He said that a contract had been awarded to a local contractor by the name of Wamuwa Company to build a new police station.
“As we are speaking right now the demolition of the old police post has commenced,” he said.
Mr Mutonga advised Mtendere residents to exercise patience as the new police station would soon be completed soon and be operational.
He also thanked the Ministry of Local Government for awarding the contracts to the local contractors as it will lead to youth employment in the area.