Police chief promotes rights of the vulnerable

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Malawi Police Service (MPS) Rodney Jose has stressed the need for traditional leaders to sensitise their subjects to the rights of vulnerable groups.

He said police were concerned with the increasing cases of violence against children, the elderly and people with albinism whose right to life is being grossly violated.

Jose was speaking Saturday in Phalombe during an awareness campaign to prevent violence against the vulnerable.

He said: “It is everybody’s responsibility to ensure that rights of our children, our elders and those members of the community with albinism are guarded just like everyone else’s.

“Traditional leaders have, above all, a vital role to play to sensitise their subjects to ensure that this vulnerable group of people is protected. There is need for joint efforts if we are to curb such violent acts.”

On his part, Phalombe Police Station officer-in-charge William Kadzayekha expressed concern over the high levels of violence against vulnerable groups.

Phalombe is one of the country’s border districts registering increased cases of violence against people with albinism, a development Traditional Authority (T/A) Kaduya said she would strive to combat.

MPS is reaching out to different communities across the country with support from Unicef to raise awareness on the dangers of perpetrating violence on children, the elderly and people with albinism. n