Mangochi Police on high alert on security safety ahead of Mothers’ Day celebrations

* Issues guidelines for celebrants to prioritise road safety measures, including refraining from driving under the influence of alcohol

* Wearing seat belts, avoiding excessive speeding, adhering to vehicle capacity limits, and using roadworthy vehicles to avoid accidents

By Duncan Mlanjira

The Lakeshore district of Mangochi is one of the country’s most holiday celebration hotspots such as for Christmas, Easter, Independence Day and Mothers’ Day.

And as Mothers’ Day approaches Thursday, October 15 — a tradition that attracts many people, especially women, to Mangochi for the festivities, the district’s Police Station is appealing to the public to adhere to safety measures when visiting Lake Malawi.

In a public statement, Mangochi Police Station’s public relations officer, lnspector Amina Tepani Daudi, is reminding the public to prioritise road safety measures.

These including refraining from driving under the influence of alcohol, avoiding excessive speeding, wearing seat belts, adhering to vehicle capacity limits, and using roadworthy vehicles in to avoid accidents.

These are measures that Mangochi Police would concentrate on as they intensify patrols on the roads leading to the lakeshore district.

Additionally, says Inspector Daudi in the statement, Mangochi Police expresses concern over the tendency of passengers sitting on open windows of moving vehicles’ door with their bodies protruding outside.

And due to high water levels in Lake Malawi, Inspector Daudi emphasises that celebrants should “wear life jackets, abstain from swimming while intoxicated, and avoid swimming during odd hours to prevent drowning incidents”.

“Resort owners are reminded not to allow intoxicated individuals into the water and to provide stewards (lifesaver teams) for immediate assistance.

“Hotel and lodge owners are requested to maintain guest records to prevent criminals from posing as clients during the event,” says the statement, while assuring the public of safety and security during their stay in the district.

“The Police are implementing intensive day and night patrols, intelligence-driven operations, joint patrols with members of Community Policing Forums, joint beach patrols with Marine Police officers and snap roadblocks to deter criminal activities.

“Traffic police officers are diligently enforcing traffic laws on all roads in the district, and road users are urged to comply with lawful orders issued by traffic police.

“Furthermore, the public is cautioned that no one should violate the rights of others, and those found breaking the law will face appropriate consequences,” says Inspector Daudi.

All over the country, entertainment hotspots are advertising on various services they have on offer for Mothers’ Day celebrations — thus the security safety measures being advanced by Mangochi Police do apply across the nation and beyond this special festivity.