Kabwila, Chakhwantha Bail Bond Extended: Fears Treason Case

Malawi Police have left two Malawi Congress Party (MCP) legislatures, Jessie Kabwila and Peter Chakhwantha in panic after informing them on Friday that their bail bond has been extended to 18th March 2016.

As a condition to their bail, Salima North-west legislature Kabwila and Lilongwe South-West legislature, Chakhwantha on Friday appeared at Area 30 Police Headquarters and were left gob-smacked to hear that their bail has been extended and should appear again to Police on 18th March. 

MCP supporters on Monday evening following
Kabwira arrest

Kabwila, spokesperson for MCP and Chairperson for Women Caucus in Parliament was arrested on Monday on her way to Germany Embassy to seek asylum while Chakhwantha, Chairperson of Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament surrendered himself to Police on Tuesday and were both charged with treason over Whatsapp conversation. However, Inspector General of Police Lexten Kachama on Wednesday clarified that the two were only called for cautioning and were never charged with any offense.

The two legislatures said they are surprised that Director of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has contradicted Police IG’s earlier statement regarding the arrests by extending their bail.

“We waited there for an hour then we were ushered into the office of the Director of the CID, it is where we got the shock of our lives where they told us that they are going to extend our bail bond to 18th March the very same day this House (National Assembly Meeting) will be rising.” Explains Chakhwantha

Chakhwantha reacted that the extension of this bail is a confirmation that Police would like to pursue Treason case against them

“This is something very strange because we understand that the IG had told the nation that we were never arrested and we are not on any charge so far, so by way of extending the bail bond we take it that legally what he said is has been contradicted by his own junior officers. 

By the extension of this bail bond we deem that we are indeed were formally charged and we are under arrest and as we are, we are suspects” said Chakhwantha waiting to hear what would be the next step by Police on 18th March

On her part, Kabwila expressed concern that these charges are preventing them from attending to important matters in National Assembly citing Friday as an example whereby as they were at Area 30, the House was listening to Minister of Finance presenting Midyear budget statement.

“You hear Police IG stating that there is no case and hear Area 30 Police saying we are extending your bail, so we don’t understand as who is telling the truth.” Reacted Kabwila

Kabwila said the bail extension is Government plan to keep them off from talking about the hunger in this country.

“To tell the truth what this is all about is trying to keep Malawi Congress Party quite because people know that what Malawi Congress Party has been saying that this Government has not handled the hunger that we kept on saying is looming for so long. And it is not by accident that we had to go and do this bail on the day that Minister of Finance was presenting his estimates and we missed that.” She said

The Case will cost public money 

Kabwila warned that their arrests will costs Malawians tax because at the end the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will compensate them just like it is planning to do with the ‘July 20 victim’ families. 

“DPP Government seems to be bent on misusing taxpayer’s money because they are paying people for mistakes they did and now look at what they are doing to us. This is also another self inflicted pain on the state. We don’t have resources, why should we have a Government that is so good at making mistakes and costing the public money, now they are even costing public its legislatures.” Said Kabwila who described DPP government as clueless and the charges are ridiculous 

The two MP's also said their appearance at Area 30 Police Headquarters was violation of assurance of Legislatures immunity and privileges as made in the National Assembly by Leader of House Francis Kasaila that Police will follow procedures that are established as to how they can deal with members of Parliament once found on the other side of the law.

“What is happening now is that, apart from that commitment, the IG also came in the open and said there are no charges. And today behind the back of the speaker, they call his children to Area 30 and extend the bail bonds. This is where we are saying something very fishy is being cooked up and we are saying this Government does not even care whether there would be consequences in terms of monetary compensations at the end of the day as they have already demonstrated that they are now currently paying the 20 July victims with Millions of money’s. So what will happen to us?” asked Chakhwantha 

But Kabwila said their arrests means police are getting orders from politicians and that DPP Government does not believe in independence of institutions

“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.

Malawi Police Strategize to End Albino Attacks, Killings

• Strategies include; physical identification of households with people living with albinism as well as schools they go to

• Police condemns the albino killings

Kachama greeting President Mutharika

The Malawi Police Service has warned that it will not sit back and watch the misdemeanor of attacks, abductions and killings of people born albino as it says police are alert and ready to apprehend any person perpetrating such violence.

In an interview after President Peter Mutharika had addressed the nation on albino attacks on Thursday Inspector General of Police (IG) Lexten Kachama, said Commissioners from all regions of the country had a meeting where they devised strategies to completely end this crime and not reduce it.

“We the police are strongly condemning and warning all perpetrators of the unbecoming criminal behavior of killing, abducting and even selling people with albinism in the country and therefore wishes to strongly warn any would be perpetrators of such and barbaric acts that the police will not sit back and watch while this unbecoming and worrisome trend takes root in the country.”

Kachama then assured that the situation is currently being well managed as several strategies have been put in place by Police

He mentioned; physical identification of households with people living with albinism as well as schools where people with albinism goes to and engaging with traditional, religious and community leaders in support of efforts of protecting rights of people with albinism.

The Malawi Police IG further said police are enhancing Community Policing structures as well as mainstreaming issues of people living with albinism including enhancing intelligence collection to identify source, nature of markets and final destination of the alleged trade.

“We will provide maximum security in the country to all” he assured, “However we would like to urge parents, relations and guardians of people living with albinism to exercise extra security precautionary measures in protecting people with albinism at all times.”

“The community at large should also take a leading role by reporting suspects, suspected strangers whether trying propose marriage or pretending to be on business in their areas” he appealed and emphasized that “Police alone cannot succeed to combat this malpractice but with public support we can really succeed. Please everyone should take this noble cause assisting police as we are trying hard to end and not reduce these criminal acts”

Kachama, has thanked all stakeholders especially ministry of gender, the judiciary, traditional leaders and faith leaders for their efforts in this fight. He as well, expressed thanks general public for support given to police on tips that have assisted to arrest some of the suspects.

The IG has dispelled any myth that surrounds albino attacks and killings, “Regrettably, incidences of attacks against people living with albinism are allegedly fueled by beliefs that body parts of people with albinism bring good luck and fortune which is very unfortunate situation. What is important in this matter is to note that these people with albinism are just ordinary people like anyone else and that their body parts do not posses any supernatural powers.” 

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Hon. Paul Chibingu also echoed the IG’s appeal that the general public should play major role in providing information to police in order to end this malpractice.

Asked if Malawi is working closely with neighboring countries like Tanzania where albino attacks and killings were first reported before Malawi, the Minister said “At ministry level we haven’t yet contacted our friends how they have combated the problem but am sure in due course we will consult our friends to see if at all they have completely managed that problem and how they did it”

The most recent incidences of albino attacks happened in Zomba where a 2 year old baby with albinism was snatched from a fellow 10 year old sibling, but fortunately the baby was rescued by neighbors as the suspect tried to run away. Police have also arrested a suspect in Mangochi in connection with selling of his nephew with albinism who according to Inspector General of Police the suspect is assisting police as so far, eight suspects have been arrested connected to the issue of albinism.

Furthermore, another suspect named Saidi Mpunga aged 32 is in police custody in neighboring Mozambique answering murder charge of albino and is expected to be brought back to Malawi to answer another charge of killing an albino girlfriend in Mulanje.

Kachama Gets An Easy Nod From National Assembly……Confirmed As Police IG

Kachama Gets An Easy Nod From National Assembly……Confirmed As Police IG

The National Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly confirmed the newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Lexten Kachama on the position.

Out of the 161 votes of members present in the House, 159 members had voted in favor of Kachama while 2 had voted to the contrary. There were 32 absentees.   

In accordance with Section 154 (2) of the Republican Constitution, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Paul Chibingu had tabled the motion on Kachama’s confirmation. 

The Member of Parliament for Balaka North, Lucius Banda offered his secondment, paving way to the responses by spokespersons of MCP and PP who spoke in support for the motion while offering pieces of advice, notably that, the new IG should not show impartiality in his discharge of duty.  

During general debate, four MP’s; Martha Lunje of Nkhota-kota Central, Anna Kachikho of Phalombe North, Amon Nkhata of Kasungu Central and Uladi Mussa of Salima South had all their voices in high tone decorating the new appointee.    

Traced from the humble beginnings of constable ranking at the time he joined the Malawi Police Service on 2nd April, 1979 until the day of his appointment, 10th February, 2015 , Kachama had rose through the ranks way up to the top rank of Inspector General.

“Honorable Members, this means therefore National Assembly has today February 18, 2015 confirmed Lexten Kachama as Inspector General of Malawi Police Service.” Announced Speaker of National Assembly Richard Msowoya

The new Police IG made several achievements which among them earned him recipient of Long Service and Good Conduct Medal from the late His Excellency Professor Bingu Wa Mutharika on 5th March 2011 in Blantyre. And on 15th October 2014 he received a Presidential Police Medal from His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.

Born on June 30, 1958, Lexten Shame Kachama hails from Chidzenje village T/A Kalolo in Lilongwe district.

He is a holder of Masters in Business Administration (MBA) majoring in Human Resource Management from Share World Open University, Masters in Leadership and Change Management from Leeds Metropolitan University in conjunction with Malawi Institute of Management (MIM) and has Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Development and Management from Share World Open University. 

Kachama is currently studying PHD in Strategic Management with Columbia Commonwealth University.