“No Panic” Says Police As Malawians Are Shocked with Death of Police Officer

Hon Atupele Muluzi& Lexten Kachama

Malawi Police Service says Malawians should not panic, as the death of police officer shot by armed criminals shock the nation.

Inspector General (IG) of Malawi Police Service Lexten Kachama made the remarks Monday evening in Lilongwe when giving an update of the armed robbery leading to the death of one police officer and serious injury of another officer and an official from Petroda filling station.

The two survivors are receiving treatment at Kamuzu Central Hospital after being attacked on Monday morning at around 10:00 hours near Cash build in the Capital city, Lilongwe by unidentified armed robbers. 

The three were in a police escort taking Petroda filling station money to the bank using Petroda minibus registration number BQ 3422. But unexpectedly, armed robbers fired shots at the bus killing one officer and injured the two before going away with the cash. 

No arrest has been made but police have managed to recover the attacked minibus and the vehicle used in the crime together with a pistol stolen from the officer killed in the action.

The Police IG, Kachama who was with the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security honorable Atupele Muluzi at the briefing declined to disclose particulars of the victims saying police will reveal them once communication is passed on to their family members. 

Kachama said Malawi police is deeply saddened with the death and critical injury of another officer and has condemned the incident calling it “barbaric unbecoming practice” 

“Police is however assuring the members of the general public not to panic and live in fear” he said, “Police are on the ground day and night living no stone unturned to arrest those involved in the commission of the crime”

He said roadblocks have been mounted across the country, intensive foot and vehicle patrols are being conducted and that civilian clothed police officers are on the ground to investigate the incident.

Kachama however, appealed to general public to tip police and that those who witnessed the crime should help police with information to be treated with confidentiality.

The Police IG also asked police officers not to be discouraged with this incident. While asking Malawians to work together with police Kachama also assured the nation that police shall wake and fight crime according to the laws of Malawi and will use all possible means. 

Muluzi and Kachama

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Hon Atupele Muluzi who sent his sympathy to the victims, has described the deceased officer as a “brave officer that lost his life today during his line of duty” 

Hon Muluzi mentioned that issues of safety and security of citizens and investors is high priority for government. He said this incident is one of the unusual incidences and promised that the matter will handled very seriously. 

“I would like to join the Inspector of Police to assure the general public that we are taking these incidences very, very seriously indeed. Perpetrators will be caught” he assured, and repeated “Perpetrators will be caught and put behind bars where ever they may be.”

The Minister also echoed Kachama remarks that Malawi police is geared to take a decisive action to send strong message to criminals and appealed that Malawians should share with police any information of whereabouts of these criminals. 

During the press briefing the Inspector General of Police indicated that about five criminals were at the scene during the shooting and that more than sixteen bullets were shot. 

Kachama who described the situation as “Pathetic” having lost a life of a police officer on his line of duty also said it is apparent that the two officers were in a terrible situation which he hopes they were taken by surprise.