— Juvenile cells needed in Kawambwa

Juvenile cells needed in Kawambwa

Kawambwa, August 28, 2014, ZANIS —  Kawambwa District Social Welfare Assistant, Zakeyo Luhanga says there is need to set up Juvenile cells at the Police Station in the area.

Mr. Luhanga says his office was finding it difficult to investigate matters were juveniles come in conflict with the Law as they are mixed with adults while in detention.

ZANIS reports that the District Social Welfare Assistant, who is also the Juvenile Officer at the Social Welfare Department made the complaint during a Kawambwa District Welfare Assistant Committee (DWAC) held recently.

He said there has been several cases were after recording a statement from a Juvenile, who is conflict with the Law, the next visit results in a complete change of statement from the initial one.

Mr. Luhanga attributed the trend of changing statements by Juvenile to bad advice and influence by adults with whom they are locked up together at the Police Station.

And responding the Juvenile Officer, Kawambwa District Council Planner, George Biemba revealed that some funds had been set aside in the 2012 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for the construction of Juvenile Cells.

Mr. Biemba explained that Fund could not however be utilised because of failure by individual tasked to come up a plan for the Cells.

But when asked by ZANIS clarify how much was allocated for the facility and if the funds are still available, Mr. Biemba stated he needed to get confirmation from his superiors at the Local Authority.

During the same meeting Mr. Biemba was unanimously elected as District Welfare Assistance Committee (DWAC) Chairperson.