The Malawi Police Service (MPS ) ha s remov ed roadblocks in some parts of the country, a development a security expert says will compromise the country’s security.
The Nation spot-checks yesterday established that many roadblocks in the country’s cities and districts have been removed, except the major ones such as Zalewa in Neno, Dedza and Bua in Kasungu.
For instance in Blantyre, MPS has removed roadblocks at Lirangwe, Lunzu, Ngumbe, Bangwe, Milare, Green Corner and Chigumula.
In Mangochi, roadblocks at M’baluku, Malamya and Idrussi have also been dismantled.
Idrussi Roadblock borders traditional authorities Chowe, Jalasi and Katuli, which border neighbouring Mozambique.
In the capital city Lilongwe, almost all police roadblocks have been removed while in Dowa, Dowa Turn-off Roadblock has also been dismantled.
In an interview yesterday, National Police spokesperson James Kadadzera confirmed that some roadblocks have been temporarily removed in the country.
He said police resolved to remove some roadblocks to ensure that the service has adequate manpower on the ground during the July 2 fresh presidential election as ordered by the Constitutional Court in February this year and the coronavirus pandemic that has so far killed two people and infected 13 in the country.
Said Kadadzera: “We have downsized roadblocks because we need to have more officers to respond to situations.”
But Mzuzu University security studies lecturer Eugenio Njoloma observed that the move would compromise security in the country as offenders will be moving freely.
He said police roadblocks play a crucial role in the security of the country, adding that offenders are discouraged from indulging in criminal activities where there are police officers.
Njoloma called on government to intensify the recruitment of new police officers and engage both private and public security agencies to ensure that more roadblocks are still in operation.
But Kadadzera disputed Njoloma’s sentiments that the removal of police roadblocks would affect the country ’s security.
“That will not compromise security because we are always alert and will always respond to situations. If there is a need for a roadblock, we will quickly mount it and when done we will remove it,” he said
