For the past six months, Thyolo district has been in the news over criminal incidences where a day hardly passes without a case, with homicide and theft topping the list.

This has since reflected in a bi-annual crime report released on Friday at the Station Executive Committee (SEC) meeting where 386 theft offenses were captured in the period, which is way higher than 198 cases of 2022, representing 95 percent.

Similarly, this period 20 people have been killed as compared to 11 homicide cases registered last year, representing 82 percent.

Meanwhile, the situation has concerned DC Nawasha who apart from pledging support to ensure that the district is secure, has asked the police to increase their visibility in all corners.

"When people are insecure, it is very difficult to think of development works. They are busy protecting themselves because they think things are not okay around. We cannot do anything where there is no security," she decried.

The district's officer in-charge, Isaac Norman said the law enforcers are trying by among others deploying three teams on patrol daily.

Norman has however called on all the stakeholders to be on high alert to help the police to arrest the security concern.

"We are trying with our available resources in order to provide a good service to the people of Thyolo. The good part of it we are able to arrest the the suspects and bring them to courts," Norman assured.

Senior Chief Nchiramwera and Khwethemule also decried continued plunder of estates property by the locals, something they think is due to high unemployment levels after many were laid off in the companies.

During the meeting, security stakeholders which included the business community, faith leaders, community policing structures and chiefs have brainstormed strategies to restore security, while the district interfaith alliance led by its chairperson, Pastor Lloyd Somela prayed over the situation.