Traditional leaders in Sangwali village are calling on the government to decentralise essential services and complete long-standing infrastructure projects, citing gaps in health care, housing and public services that continue to inconvenience residents.

Sangwali village induna, Alex Mbwe, said that the local health centre, which serves Sangwali and surrounding communities, including Sauzuo, Lyanshulu and Batubaja, needs to be upgraded to meet the growing population's needs.

He says the facility requires a mortuary, a permanently stationed doctor, additional nurses and proper accommodation for health workers.

"The Sangwali sub-khuta, as well as the Sangwali head khuta, have both written to the ministry; however, there has not been a response on whether or not our plea would be heard or whether or not something would be done with regard to bringing a doctor here and the construction of staff accommodation."

Doctors visit the health centre for a limited time before returning to town. 

"For services to be provided effectively by a doctor permanently stationed here, it is only possible if their accommodation is up to standard; a doctor was supposed to be stationed closer to the health centre in order to cater to patients efficiently."

The absence of Home Affairs services in the village following the relocation of the former office to Linyanti forces residents to travel to Kongola or Katima Mulilo for documentation services.

"It will be very easy for services to come closer to the people. If my birth certificate burns in the house, I wouldn't have to go to Katima for a replacement; I'd simply declare it with Nampol here and then get a new one. It would be very easy for our visitors too, so it's important for these offices to come to us. We are asking the government that, especially with the incomplete infrastructure and even everything else, we would be very thankful if they heard our cry."

Other concerns include the lack of a post office and incomplete teachers' houses at Sangwali Secondary School, a project which has remained incomplete for more than a decade.

Zambezi education director Alex Sikume responded, stating that the project, which formed part of a nationwide initiative launched in 2015 to benefit four schools in Zambezi, is awaiting guidance from head office on the way forward.

Concerns over infrastructure belonging to the directorate of veterinary services constructed in 2012 were also raised, as they remain unutilised and incomplete, with some needing renovation.

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform spokesperson Romeo Muyunda confirmed that the ministry is aware of the situation which followed the death of the contractor.

Construction work has been suspended, he said, and the vandalised site has been handed over to the Ministry of Works and Transport for intervention.