Residents of Zolozolo Township in Mzuzu City can now have a sigh of relief after police disbanded violent youth gangs which were disturbing school activities in the township.

The gangs were involved in, among others, harassing female teachers and disturbing school feeding programme.

Community policing forum of the area arrested two members of the gangs.

Chairperson for Zolozolo Community Policing Forum, Matthews Nyirenda said the forum’s joint patrols with police officers from Zolozolo Police Unit led to the disbandment of the gangs.

One of the block leaders in the area, Lameck Chakupompha Kamanga, commended the police and community policing members for their collaborative efforts in dealing with the violent groups.

“I commend the police and policing forum for dealing with these violent groups which, at times, disturbed classes at Ching’ambo and Zolozolo Primary Schools,” said Kamanga.

Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu Police Station, Paul Tembo said police officers conducted a number of interventions to contain the gangs.

“We initiated a number of interventions which included school outreach programs which targeted parents on proper upbringing of children. We also involved St John of God health workers who provided counselling to children and parents in the area.

“We also engaged faith leaders through open letters which were read in churches and mosques condemning the gangs,” said Tembo.

The gangs, masquerading themselves as Empire Bengende and Boko Haram started in 2021.

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