MWANZA-(MaraviPost)-Concerned residents from Mwanza District have called on government authorities to urgently reinforce and rebuild part of the perimeter fence at Joyce Chitsulo Stadium following the collapse of a section of the wall just months after the facility was opened.

The residents say the incident is alarming given that the stadium is a public facility expected to host large crowds during football matches and other major events, stressing that public safety should not be compromised.

Speaking to MaraviPost publication,community members expressed disappointment that the fence failed in less than four months, describing the development as a clear indication that the structure was not built to acceptable standards.

They warned that the damaged fence has left parts of the stadium exposed, increasing the risk of vandalism and posing danger to pedestrians, especially children who frequently pass near the area.

The affected residents have since urged authorities to ensure that the fence is reconstructed using durable materials and proper engineering methods, rather than making temporary fixes that could fail again.

They also appealed to the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) to closely monitor public projects and ensure that contractors delivering shoddy work are held accountable. The communities argued that such negligence not only wastes public resources but also endangers lives, calling for stricter enforcement of construction standards.

Responding to the concerns, Bonongwe Construction contractor Maliseni Mtondera admitted that the collapsed section had structural weaknesses related to the initial construction design.

Mtondera explained that the soil behind the wall was heavy and unstable, exerting pressure that exceeded the strength of the wall, which he said was too small relative to the volume of earth supporting it.

He said the problem was largely technical and became evident after construction, adding that the company has since identified the weakness and prepared corrective measures.

Meanwhile, Mwanza District Director of Public Works Eric Nyekanyeka urged the public not to panic, saying such incidents can occur and do not necessarily mean that the entire stadium was poorly constructed.

On his part, Martin Kadaona, Chairperson of Civil Society Organisations in Mwanza, said the incident should serve as a lesson to the council to strengthen monitoring and inspection of development projects, ensuring that quality standards are strictly followed at all stages of construction.

The Joyce Chitsulo Stadium, located in Mwanza District, was officially opened in September 2025 and named in honour of the late Mwanza West legislator and Deputy Minister Joyce Chitsulo

The Maravi Post