Chiradzulu Police drills traditional counsellors
Chiradzulu Police Station, through Victim Support Unit (VSU), on Tuesday organised a meeting with the district’s traditional counsellors (Angalibas) to urge them to follow correct procedures during initiation ceremonies, to avoid human rights violations.
Chiradzulu Police Station officer-in-charge Berlington Kamwagha thanked the Angalibas for preserving culture in the district and Malawi as a whole.
He said: “Every culture has its beliefs and initiation ceremonies are one way that culture is preserved in society. You [Angalibas] play a great role in grooming youths into productive citizens.”
Kamwagha said parents and guardians have reported to police the violation of the rights of children who go for the initiation.
He said: “Our children have the right to education. It is very sad that most of the Ndagala [place where the initiation happen] hold on to the children even after schools have opened.”
Kamwagha said counsellors found to be keeping children beyond the recommended period will be arrested.
In his remarks, station coordinator for community policing Kingsley Mvuthe commended the counsellors for not violating children’s rights during this year’s initiation. n
