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.

Malawi National Assembly Passes Trafficking in Persons Bill

Malawi National Assembly Passes Trafficking in Persons Bill

The Malawi National Assembly on Wednesday afternoon passed Trafficking in Persons Bill.

Passing of the bill gives Malawians hope of an end or reduction of cases of human trafficking which have been on the increase due to lack of specific legislation to curb such illegal practice and porous borders . 

Recent media reports indicate not long ago this year, 13 children the youngest being 6 years old were trafficked from Zomba to Mozambique. And in Phalombe district, Police have been involved in rescue operations with Mozambican authorities where more than 124 children have been rescued and it is alleged that some of these had their genitals mutilated.

A lot of children and girls in Malawi have been vulnerable to trafficking due to poverty, domestic violence and child-headed homes as well as lack of economic opportunities. Such trafficked children have been experiencing various forms of exploitation including forced labour, forced prostitution, domestic slavery and body organs.

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Hon. Paul Chibingu when presenting the Bill in the House emphasized that the bill will address number of issues that emerged due to lack of proper law. He said the Bill seeks to protect and promote rights of vulnerable people especially children and girls who are the most target of traffickers who uses deception or force for the purpose of exploitation.

Hon Chibingu indicated that the legislation has several stiffer penalties including imprisonment sentences which some of the longest ones are more than 20 years of imprisonment. He said such penalties will effectively protect children of Malawi from being trafficked as it has been the case. 

Since Malawi was the only country in the SADC region without proper legislation on Trafficking, the Minister further said when the bill is enacted into law there will be a better collaboration between Malawi and its neighboring countries in combating trafficking as well as in prosecution of such cases.

“This bill will assist the country especially in our courts, they have been having problems in dealing with human trafficking cases just because we had no proper law of governing courts in terms of passing sentences” said Chibingu “But this time around, once this bill becomes a law our courts will have a uniform way of discharging the justice and imposing penalties for to be offenders.”

Spokespersons for political parties in the House, from Malawi Congress Party (MCP), People’s Party (PP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) all supported the bill.

During the general debate some members while supporting the bill they also raised a number of issues among them on the need to strengthen security in all border districts where human trafficking is rampant and that issuing of national identification cards is necessary.

But the Internal Security Minister has assured parliamentarians that government is making sure that security is tight in all the districts and that before end of 2015 government will commence issuing national identity cards as another way of preventing human trafficking.

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.