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Big Interview: Mable Msefula-The police pro in charge of other pros

She did not harbour dreams of joining the Malawi Police Service (MPS) while at a tender age. But, now, she is in the service and has risen from constable to a senior superintendent in charge of all police spokespersons. Mable Msefula is also the first woman police spokesperson who was brought up in humble beginnings. But, today, she is sitting in a high office at the Police Headquarters in Lilongwe. Excerpts:

May I know you?

mable-msefulaI was born Mable Chawinga on July 21 1980. In 2003, I got married to Gasten Msefula and I became Mable Msefula. I come from Chikunguweya Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Katumbi, Rumphi. I am the fifth born daughter in a family of nine; three girls and six boys. I am a proud mother of three; Mahara, 10, Patience, seven and Waliko, three. In 2001, I got employed with the police service as a constable. Recently, I was promoted and I am now a superintendent working as an assistant public relations officer.

 

How would you describe your upbringing?

I grew up an orphan after my mother—a single parent—died when I was five. She was a midwife at Chikangawa Health Centre in Mzimba. After her demise, we went to the village in Rumphi to live with my grandparents. Life was tough because my grandparents were very old and failed to fend for us. We were nine grandchildren who relied on her for our livelihood. I lived with my grandparents until when I was 12. We sometimes missed school due to lack of exercise books and pens. Later on, I went to live with my cousin in Mhuju in Rumphi. At least, life was better there. A few years later, my sister got employed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Ntcheu. I stayed with her after attaining tertiary education before I got employed by the MPS.

 

Tell me about your education background and work experience.

I went to various primary schools starting with Katowo and Mhuju in Rumphi. I attended Mhuju Community Day Secondary School, New Era Girls and Mlanda Girls Secondary Schools. I did not do well in my Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) such that I did not make it to the university. So, I enrolled with the Blantyre Business College where I pursued a Diploma in Journalism in 2000. I joined the police service a year later.

After training, I was posted to Mzimba Police Station. But, after a couple of weeks, I was transferred to the National Police Headquarters in Lilongwe to work in the press and public relations office (PRO). In 2006, I enrolled with the University of Malawi (Unima)’s Polytechnic Where I obtained a diploma in public relations. In 2008, I obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism at the same education facility.

I am intending to go for a Masters degree soon. When I was I attached to the PR department, I was the only woman. Then, PRO became centralised at the headquarters. It was tough that time because officers had to get information from all over country and give it to the media. It was easy to make mistakes because the flow of information was manual and dependent on telephone calls.

 

Why did you opt to work for MPS?

Honestly, I did not dream of becoming a police officer. But almost suddenly, my interest rose in 2001 when I read an advert about a vacancy in the MPS. I hurried and dropped an application.  After I got employed, my posting to the public relations office just appeased me.  It was what I learned in college. I considered that most people do not have proper information about how the police operate. I felt my availability would help disseminate information for people to know about bail rights, 48-hour-rule and their own rights of policing in their areas. I just love my job and I feel I am in the right place.

 

How did you feel about your promotion?

I felt excited. I jumped and danced that day.  However, my jovial mood became short lived after I considered the challenges of my job. Supervising all PROs in the country is a no joke. As you know, we are challenged with resources, one needs to be innovative in showing off his potential. But, here I am now. I parried away the fears and I am enjoying the job.

We hear about thugs robbing ordinary citizens every day.

 

How does this make you feel?

It is MPS’s mission to make sure that citizens are living in safe and secure environments; with their lives and property protected at all times. Police officers tirelessly conduct street patrols, raids, traffic checks, criminal investigations and crime prevention meetings to achieve that goal. Robberies retrogress our efforts. The service has very dedicated and skilled police officers. However, security begins with individuals and then communities.

In Malawi, the ratio of police officers against the population is at 1:1 350 against international standards of 1:400.Therefore, we depend on community partnerships at all levels to help the police with information on suspected criminals. We believe criminals live within communities as they rent houses owned by ordinary citizens. Communities should report to police suspected criminals; people who get rich within days and, whose means of getting worth are questionable. As police, we treat all such information with diligence and confidentiality.

 

What are your plans?

I would like to rise to the top most rank of the police service. With dedication and God’s intervention, I am sure of attaining it soon.

What are your challenges in your day to day operations? 

The lack of resources can be irritating where you cannot execute a brilliant idea. Inadequate resources hinder training for police spokespersons and that affects our efficiency.

 

What would you describe as good moments in your life?

The very first time I met my husband at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) where he was an intern. He resisted to part ways with me as we cracked jokes for a long time. Secondly, the time a friend called me saying she saw my name on the mature entry list at the Polytechnic. I celebrated and it made me feel great.

 

Any sad moments?

When I lost my two brothers. I became obsessed at their loss and I shall never forget those moments. The death of my sister, Cecilia, barely a week after my wedding also hit me hard. When I recall these moments, I sob.

 

Any last moments? 

People should, at all cost, participate in security issues in their areas so that, together, we holistically combat crime. And, also let us take part in caring for orphans and share the little we have with our friends affected by floods. Mind you, blessed is the hand that gives than the one that receives.

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