Malawi Freedom Network 
By MFN Reporter
More than 1,500 residents of Gulupu Nakoli Village in Mangochi District are struggling to access clean water following the removal of a borehole by their Member of Parliament, Bilal Mussa.
The independent legislator reportedly removed the borehole, which he had installed at a mosque in the area of Senior Chief Bwananyambi, leaving residents without an alternative source of water.
One of the affected residents, Yuba Chileka, expressed disappointment over the development, saying the borehole had been a lifeline for more than 1,500 people who depended on it for their daily water needs.
Chileka said residents were shocked by the decision, particularly because there are no other reliable sources of water in the area.
Mussa confirmed removing the borehole, but maintained that his decision was intended to benefit the community in the long term.
He said he plans to install more permanent boreholes to replace the existing ones, arguing that the new facilities would provide a more sustainable water supply.
Mussa also acknowledged that some people might interpret the matter politically but insisted that he knew what he was doing.
Meanwhile, National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust District Manager for Mangochi, Joseph Chamambala, criticised the decision, saying it had created difficulties for residents and negatively affected their lives.
Chamambala said Mussa should have consulted the affected community and agreed on an alternative arrangement before removing the borehole, particularly if he had plans to introduce a different water supply system.
