LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Independent parliamentary candidate for Kasungu South, Alex Major, has said he is awaiting a police report to establish the cause of a fire that destroyed a grader he had hired to level the road from Linga to Mkanda in Mchinji District.
Major, former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) legislator explained that he had received reports suggesting that the incident might have been a case of arson but emphasized that he would rely on the findings of the police before drawing conclusions.
He stressed that the destruction of the grader was a setback to his efforts to improve road infrastructure in the area.
According to police spokesperson Joseph Kachikho, investigations are underway to determine the circumstances of the fire.
He said preliminary information points to the grader catching fire while the driver, Moses Kalengo, was refueling the machine.
Kachikho added that the police have not, at this stage, received any formal evidence or reports suggesting foul play.
He assured that updates would be provided once investigations were concluded.
The road in question was initially part of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) project, which had promised to improve road networks in the area.
However, progress on the project has stalled following the suspension of MCC activities in Malawi by the United States government.
The incident has reignited concerns about the state of infrastructure in Mchinji and surrounding districts, with residents expressing frustration over stalled projects and poor road networks that continue to hamper transport and economic activity.
In conclusion, the outcome of the police investigation will be crucial in determining whether the grader fire was a result of accident or deliberate sabotage.
For Major, the incident not only represents a material loss but also highlights the broader challenges facing local leaders who attempt to address infrastructure gaps amid limited resources and stalled development projects.