IG explains police promotions process
Malawi Police Service Inspector General George Kainja says it is inaccurate to suggest that the human resources (HR) director in the service single-handedly influences and promotes police officers.
The police chief was responding to a questionnaire in the context of allegations that Commissioner Stan Kaliza promoted or included on foreign peacekeeping missions at least 40 female police officers in exchange for sexual favours.
Kainja said promotions in police are the domain of the Police Service Commission (PSC).
He said: “There is always a misconception that HR director promotes people for the sole reason that he is the one who facilitates names to PSC by way of short-listing.”
In an interview yesterday, Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) chairperson Gift Trapence said the human rights watchdog expects that justice will come out of the investigation into the alleged sexual misconduct.
He said: “HRDC is expecting Malawi Human Rights Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman and Independent Police Complaints Commission to have full investigations on the case by looking at all related aspects of the case bordering on suspected abuse of office, suspected sexual abuse and make determinations in relation to human rights.”
On Saturday, police sent Kaliza on forced leave to pave the way for investigations into his alleged involvement in the sexual scandal.
In a statement signed by National Police spokesperson James Kadadzera, the law enforcement agency said it had commenced investigations into social media reports suggesting sexual misconduct committed by Kaliza.
“When the investigations are concluded, the matter will be referred to the Police Service Commission which has the mandate of disciplining senior police officers,” he said.
Meanwhile, some female police officers earlier this month wrote Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) complaining about sexual abuses in the Police.
