Minister says govt will continue to use Malawi Army soldiers to protect forests
Government says it will continue using Malawi Army soldiers to protect Dzalanyama Forest and other forest reserves, saying charcoal burners are violent.
Ministers of Mines and Environment Bright Msaka said this in parliament on Friday when answering a question from Lilongwe Msozi South MP Vitus Dzoole Mwale.
“Three weeks ago, one of forest scouts was killed by these charcoal burners at Dzalanyama. They are usually armed with pangas and other weapons and can kill anyhow this is why community policing groups cannot deal with this matter,” said Msaka.
He said it is in the interest of Malawians that all forests are protected especially this era of climate change.
The soldiers guarding Dzalanyama hit headlines a few months ago when they allegedly killed a person for allegedly cutting down trees. They were also caught on camera beating up a man and putting him in swampy muddy waters for allegedly being found with forest products.
The government has not initiated a probe into these incidents.
Back to parliament, deliberations in the House ended peacefully as opposed to the scenario a few days ago when debate was disrupted as the legislators said they would not do any business unless they were given loans amounting to K3 million each.
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Good move to use military personnel, infact it would be better if the army opened permanent training bases located at major forest reserves as with Chilumba garrison where the forest is intact
In your wisdom you would rather use the army to protect trees and not the citizens of this country who are left to be killed by armed thugs and robbers who are moving in groups killing us at night. Pathetic government is what you are. Nights are no longer what they used to be. Time that God created for us to rest , reflect on our day and plan for our next day. These days people get worried when night falls fearing for the safety of their families. Experiences of people being visited by squads of thugs are common and… Read more »
In your wisdom you would rather use the army to protect trees and not the citizens of this country who are left to be killed by armed thugs and robbers who are moving in groups killing us at night. Pathetic government is what you are. Nights are no longer what they used to be. Time that God created for us to rest , reflect on our day and plan for our next day. These days people get worried when night falls fearing for the safety of their families. Experiences of people being visited by squads of thugs are common and… Read more »