Suspected conman dupes police ‘recruits’ 

Minister of Homeland Security Jean Sendeza says Malawi Police Service has launched a manhunt for an unidentified man who allegedly duped some youths that he would find them places in police training schools.

In an interview yesterday, the minister said preliminary information indicated that the suspect was charging the unsuspecting youths up to K150 000 as fees to have places in the latest police recruitment for training.

Her sentiments came after at least 100 youths were yesterday left stranded in Lilongwe where they had been sent from various police training schools after it transpired they were not on the official list of those selected for training.

National Police deputy spokesperson Harry Namwaza said in an interview yesterday 39 youths were sent back from Mtakataka Police Training School in Dedza.

He said four of those rejected at Mtakataka Police Training School did not have the required minimum qualification of Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE).

On the other hand, Sendeza said another 69 youths were sent back from Police Training School in Kanjedza, Blantyre.

The minister said initial findings showed that the suspected mastermind, only identified as Faliyopa, allegedly collected money from the unsuspecting group and promised jobs, claiming he was delegated by her.

Said Sendeza: “I was asked by the Inspector General of Police if I knew anything about a group of youths sent to Kanjedza Police Training School. I responded that I did not.

“This man was duping these youths using my name. This is character assassination. We are going to interview these youths to give us more details about this person.”

Police IG George Kainja had not responded to our questionnaire when sought his comment on the developments.

Recently, pictures of some new police recruits were awash on social media with some observers alleging that they were below the recruitment age.

But police said all the recruits were taken on board after fulfilling required procedures.