Traditional leaders from Chingale area in sub Traditional Authority Nkapita, in the area of Senior Chief Mlumbe in Zomba district, have petitioned government to instate Chingale as a sub-district.

On Wednesday, the leaders stormed the office of Zomba District Council to deliver their petition.

Speaking after delivering the petition, Sub T/A Nkapita, whose real name is Shadrake Chidonthi said he believes the change will assist the area to develop significantly.

T/A Nkapita said: “Both the government and the council have been sidelining our area in as far as bringing development activities is concerned.”

He said currently the area is facing many challenges such as maternal deaths and school dropout due to poor road infrastructures, long distances to reach the schools and inadequate health facilities among others.

Sharing T/A Kapita’s concerns, Group Village Head (GVH) Chiwenga, whose real name is Fatima Rafael, revealed that pregnant women from the area are giving birth while on their way to hospital due to long distance and poor road infrastructures.

He therefore warned that they will take unspecified action if the authorities fail to address their concerns.

Zomba District Commissioner, Smart Gwedemula, who received the petition, assured the protesters that proper action will be taken.