HRDC, IG meet on security

Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) and Inspector General of Police George Kainja on Monday met at Police Headquarters in Lilongwe to discuss the recent security lapse in the country.

HRDCs meeting with the IG come at a time when the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) of Parliament is also expected to meet the police chief on similar issues.

In a telephone interview HRDC chairperson Gift Trapence said they decided to meet the IG to find out efforts the police are putting in place amid the public’s concerns on the security lapse.

He said during the meeting the IG assured that a number of initiatives are being put in place to ensure that police are in control of the situation.

Trapence said: “The Inspector General agreed with us on observations that there is a security lapse and we have been given an assurance that police is doing all it can to ensure security is guaranteed for its citizens.”

Among others, the HRDC chairperson said there is a provision of about 120 vehicles to assit police with patrols and enhance police visibility.

But Trapence said the IG disclosed  in the meeting that there were few police officers, which was proving a challenge in maintaining law and order.

During the meeting, it was observed that Malawi’s police to population ratio is at one officer to 1 300 civilians against the United Nations (UN) guidelines which entails one police officer to 500 civilians.

Kainja also disclosed that government has committed to deliver 110 vehicles to strengthen patrols and increase police visibility.

In a separate statement the HRDC issued yesterday, during the meeting, the two sides also discussed the killing of a Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) officer in Dedza and a private practice lawyer in Blantyre.

The security lapse has not spared State institutions including Sanjika Palace in Blantyre where thieves on February 20 2022 stole 50 metres of razor wire.

Criminals also broke into Zomba Police Station and stole a rifle loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition.