Thursday, 22 January 2015

LL Police Reduced Crime Rate By 2% in 2014

LL Police Reduced Crime Rate By 2% in 2014


Police in the Capital Lilongwe have in the year 2014 managed to reduce crime rate to a difference of 337 cases representing 2% (police standard calculations) a decline from 11.6% in 2013.

Sub Inspector Kingsley Dandaula said in an interview that the decline is a comparison of 8,735 cases in 2013 against 8,398 cases registered in 2014.

The statistics shows the decline was mainly a successful reduction of road accidents and general theft. Road accidents recorded in 2014 were reduced by 2.9% and General Theft cases were reduced by 0.16%.

Graph showing difference between crime rate in 2013 and 2014
Graph showing LL Police Trends between 2013-2014
“We managed to reduce crime to this far because we intensified patrols both foot and vehicle patrols during day and night in all strategic places like banks and residential areas” explained Dandaula. “Traffic officers also in the period under review intensified checks on unroad-worthy vehicles, drunk drivers and our CID’s were also conducting patrols and raids”

Though Lilongwe police managed to reduce overall crime rate to such percentage, but some crimes registered an increase as compared to 2013 figures. Robbery cases grew from 740 in 2013 to 915 cases in 2014 representing 0.88% (police standard calculations). And cases of defilement have also registered an increase as well as mob justice and burglary

“Some of the cases showing an increase just need proper sensitization" said Dandaula, "We now need to sensitise the general public more on dangers of mob justice and work together with various stakeholders on sensitising the public on evils of rape so that we should reduce these cases in 2015”

He also pointed out that police have not done well mainly due to challenges of poor funding resulting to scarcity of resources like money to buy fuel for police vehicles, and lack of good condition vehicles that can be used to respond to any call.

From the new statistics Lilongwe Police is one of the station which has managed to arrest most notorious criminals and recovered stolen property worth Millions of Kwacha's during the year under review.

Lilongwe police which is located at the centre of Malawi’s capital has two substations namely Lingadzi and Kawale. It has also 3 posts and total of 22 police units in both urban and rural areas. With current ratio of 1 police officer serving a population of 2080 (1:2080) against recommended 1 police officer managing 1500 population (1:1500), Lilongwe Police is continuing to struggle manage security situation due to the growing population in the capital as many people are flocking into the city seeking for greener pasture a development which is attracting theft and vandalism by armed robbers even from Malawi’s neighboring countries.

Despite numerous challenges Lilongwe police is facing Dandaula expressed hope that this might change as government has already began showing interest in police by procuring vehicles of which some have already been given to Lilongwe police. He assured that police will continue with efforts tightening security so that there should be no cases of security lapse in the capital.

                                                 Major Cases With Detailed Statistics

(Note: All percentage calculations are based on police standard percentage. Therefore all bracketed percentages are just a percentage change calculations)

8,735 cases were recorded in 2013 against 8,395 in the same period of 2014 a decrease of 337 representing 2% decrease  (3.86%)

81 murder cases were recorded in 2013 against 100 cases in 2014 a decrease of 19 representing 0.1% increase (23.46%)

4 cases registered in 2013 on mob justice against 6 cases in 2014 a difference of 2 representing 0.01% increase (50%)

On sexual offences; 18 cases were reported in 2013 on rape against 29 cases in 2014 a diference of 11 representing 0.06% increase (61.11%). And 69 defilement cases were reported in 2013 against 112 in 2014 a difference of 43 representing 0.22% increase (62.32%).

Burglary registered 38 cases in 2013 against 57 in 2014 deference of 19 representing 0.10% increase (50%).

Robbery cases increased from 740 cases in 2013 to 915 in 2014 a difference of 175 representing 0.88% increase (23.65%).

General Theft registered 2477 cases in 2013 against 2446 in 2014 a difference of 31 representing 0.16% decrease (1.25%).

Road accidents registered 2090 cases in 2013 against 2042 cases in 2014 a difference of 48 representing 2.9% decrease (2.3%)

Malawi Police Warns Against Killings of Albinos

Malawi Police Warns Against Killings of Albinos


The Malawi Police Service has appealed to the members of the general public to report any information leading to the arrests of people killing Albinos children’s.

In the eastern region districts of Malawi particularly Zomba City, Mulanje, Machinga and Phalombe several cases have been reported of either killings or missing of children born albino.

Deputy National Police Public Relations Officer Mable Msefula in an interview said police are “condemning this unbecoming behavior” and sent a strong warning that the “law shall take its course” on anyone found to be connected to such behavior as police are urging the public to tip police on people suspected to be connected to such behaviour.

“Right now we are calling the general public to be alert and guard against such conducts. They should report to police any information leading to arrest of anyone they know practicing this behaviour” She appealed

“As police we don’t condone such practice, right now there are several myths about albinos but it is not true that albinos are what people think they are or are medication of any kind, rather they are human beings like anybody else. Therefore this behavior should not be tolerated in our society” she said

One of the reported cases include Mr Baiton Makolija from Jali, Masale Village, T/A Mwambo in Zomba who reported missing of his sister Marita Makolija who was albino. He said Marita got missing between 17th and 18th January this year. On Monday 19th January her clothes were spotted floating in the water 500m away from her home and after search, dead body was discovered in a newly dug pit near an anthill and was positively identified by the reporter.

The dead body had no head, legs and arms. Postmortem revealed that death was due to excessive loss of blood. Two more cases of such nature were reported in Mulanje and Machinga. In Machinga district police have managed to arrest two people who are suspected to be behind the kidnapping of a two year old albino.

“We are urging everyone in Malawi to let police know if anything relating to this malpractice happens in their area. Let’s work together to ensure that albino children are well protected” urged Msefula




Wednesday, 21 January 2015

LL High Court Finds Namata, Kasamba Guilty in Cashgate Case

LL High Court Finds Namata, Kasamba Guilty in Cashgate Case


The Lilongwe High Court has found guilty two Cashgate suspects Maxwell Namata and Luke Kasamba on cases they have been answering for money laundering and theft of government money.

Sentence on 2 February at 2 pm

On Wednesday the two appeared before Justice Annabel Mtalimanja on charges of theft and money laundering of up to K24.1 million from Ministry of Tourism through cheques the ministry issued two times yet the recipients did not supplying any service. The two cheques were deposited into Cross Marketing Limited bank account.

Namata has been found guilty of theft up to K14.4 million and money laundering of the said amount, while Luke Kasamba was found guilty of laundering K24.1 million.

Maxwell Namata for two times deposited Cheque amounting to K9.7 Million and K14.4 million got from Ministry of Tourism into Cross Marketing Limited bank account and Luke Kasamba a manager for the company was responsible for the withdrawal of the deposited money and handed it over to Namata.

Namata was found guilty on money laundering and theft of K14.4 million but no evidence found his link on K9.7 million. Kasamba was found guilty of laundering K24.1 million because he was responsible in the transfer of the funds.

Meanwhile laywers from both sides have been asked by the court to make submissions on sentencing by 29th January.

The two will start spending their night at Maula Prison.









Private Security Companies Guidelines Formulation Begins

Private Security Companies Guidelines Formulation Begins


Government security agents together with government Ministries are in a two day meeting to formulate Guidelines for the operations of Private Security Companies so that this fast growing industry is properly regulated.

Since 2001 several attempts were made by Malawi Government to put in place guidelines for the industry but failed to do so. Lack of the guidelines has led to unregulated security company business and in very often times some of the security companies have been providing poor security service to customers.

Principle Secretary for Internal Security Mr. Often Thyolani when opening the meeting on Wednesday said the guidelines seek to address continued poor security service most companies are providing to customers.

He said the guidelines will ensure that people are following procedures of setting up the security company, security companies are offering adequate and proper security training, reasonable remuneration, proper recruitment, and ensure that security companies have adequate security equipments.

“Every game has rules just like football, for a long time the security companies have been operating without guidelines.”  Said Thyolani

He noted that due to the growing concerns of security in the country private security companies can play a crucial role in supporting Malawi Police Service in combating criminal activities. “We need private security companies to fill the security gaps.” He said, but bemoaned that the way security companies operate leaves a lot to be desired hence the need to formulate the guidelines that will help to end unprofessionalism characterized by most security companies.

He mentioned that theft cases happening in the country have in most cases been linked with security guards. He said this has been the case due to poor pay by security company owners and inadequate trainings.

Thyolani therefore pointed out that the guidelines will also set minimum wage to ensure discipline among security guards “Lack of reasonable remuneration is influencing security guards to find other means to help themselves. They steal at their workplaces, sometimes guards may connive with criminals to steal the very things they protect. We have numerous cases on this.” he said.

Earlier, Commissioner of Police Director of Research and Planning Dr George Kainja made similar remarks by Thyolani on the importance of regulating the private security companies so that they effectively support police in provision of security in the country “Security is prerogative of government but police cannot handle security matters alone we need to partner with private security companies but must be guided”

He added “The best way if we are to move forward in fighting crime, is where we begin to work together with security companies but we need to look at hiccups making private security companies not to do their job in efficient manner. So this is why we decided to come up with something that can guide the conduct of security companies” and mentioned that after the meeting there will be consultation meetings with security companies on the guidelines.

Officials from Malawi Police Service, Malawi Defense Force (MDF), and government ministries of Justice and Constitution Affairs, and Ministry of Labour are in those that are in the meeting.



Tuesday, 20 January 2015

71 Ethiopians Gets 3 months Imprisonment

Tobe Deported at the End of Jail Sentence


Dowa First Grade magistrate Court has sentenced 71 Ethiopian nationals to serve 3 months imprisonment with hard labour and that after their jail term government should deport them all.

The court also fined them K5, 000 each.

The convicted Ethiopians included 40 people arrest in the dawn of Tuesday 7th January and other 31 who were arrested on 15th January this year by Dowa police officers at Mbalame village along Dowa Lumbadzi Road.  The arrests were made following tipoff from the members of the general public as police in the district were in a sweeping exercise.

On Monday Dowa First Grade Magistrate Amulani Phiri heard from two prosecutors Inspector Ivy Sangwa and Sergeant Agnes Mphinga that the Ethiopian nationals entered the country illegally and were trying to sneak into Dzaleka Refugee Camp.

All suspects admitted that they managed to enter the country from the help of some Malawians and other Ethiopian nationals who are also in police custody. They pleaded guilty to the offences of entering the country illegally.

The prosecutors pleaded with the court to impose a stiff punishment for others to get a lesson.

First Grade Magistrate Phiri concurred with the prosecutors that stiff punishment was necessary to deter the malpractice. Both Malawian and Ethiopian nationals who were in the business of aiding the Ethiopian nationals to enter the country illegally will also soon appear before court.



Monday, 19 January 2015

MISA Malawi Ask Pres Mutharika to Re-instate Tembo Back to MBC

MISA Malawi Ask Pres Mutharika to Re-instate Tembo Back to MBC


The Media Institute of Southern Africa – Malawi Chapter (MISA) has called upon the president Peter Mutharika to reverse what it call ‘atrocious decision’ on re-deployment of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Director General, Dr. Benson Tembo, to the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) for position of Technical Advisor.

The news broke last week that Director General of MBC, has been deployed to MACRA as Technical Advisor on digital migration with immediate effect.

According to the national broadcasters online report, Dr. Tembo on Friday bid farewell to Controllers and Directors of MBC where he said the new post is a secondment “I am being seconded to Macra so that means partly I am part of MBC but I will be with Macra where I will be advising on digital migration.”

In a statement Chairperson for MISA-Malawi Thom Khanje said Dr. Tembo has been earmarked for a subordinate position of Technical Advisor. Therefore the statement finds the removal of Dr. Tembo as retrogressive and a sign of continued political interference by the government in the operations of MBC as well as contrary to the promises by President Peter Mutharika in both his inaugural and first State of the Nation Address to Parliament in June and July 2014.

The chairperson says MISA-Malawi is surprised that such a decision concerning an employee of MBC has been made by the executive arm of the government and not the MBC board of directors who are the legal employers of the Director General as stipulated in Section 92, subsection 1 of the Communications Act of 1998 which reads: “The Board of MBC shall appoint a Director General, who shall be the chief executive officer of MBC.”

“MISA-Malawi therefore calls upon the president to reverse this atrocious decision on Dr. Tembo and let the MBC board independently assess his performance for possible re-engagement when his contract expires in April this year” reads the statement

The statement also call upon the president to always make sure that he lives by his words and desist from making decisions that are contrary to his promises.

“We remind the president of his stated commitments that his government “shall ensure that Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) are professional and report to Parliament annually as required by law” (Inaugural Speech, June 2014) and that he “allow the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation operate in an open, free and fair manner, make independent editorial decisions and I don't want my Minister of Information to interfere in their work. This is a promise I make to Malawi. The era of using the Public Broadcaster for Political mileage is gone”(State of the Nation Address, July 2014).”
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MISA-Malawi in the statement re-affirms its standing position on the need for MBC to be freed from political interference by reviewing the Communications Act to turn the corporation into a public service broadcaster which serves the needs of all Malawians regardless of their political affiliation.

UNICEF to Airlift 90 Tones of Relief Supplies to Flood Victims

UNICEF to Airlift 90 Tones of Relief Supplies to Flood Victims



As heavy rains continue to fall in Malawi, UNICEF is stepping up its relief efforts, airlifting an initial 90 tons of supplies, as it seeks to reach those most in need. 

UNICEF in a statement released on Monday 19th January 2015 says is this week airlifting 90 tons of relief supplies including: essential medicines, tents and tarpaulins, therapeutic food and milk for treating malnutrition, hygiene kits and education and play supplies to aid children’s psychosocial recovery.  

The statement has indicated that UNICEF is working through its teams on the ground in Blantyre and Zomba to deliver life-saving interventions to those in the hardest hit districts of Nsanje, Chikwawa and Phalombe all in the Shire River Basin.  

The response is focused on displaced women and children, the UN Children’s Agency is supporting partners including the Government of Malawi, to provide clean water and temporary sanitation, monitor the nutritional status of children - and treat severe cases - and distribute essential medicines for women and children.   

“After surveying the flooded districts from the air, we know that the scale of flooding is immense, and with the rains still falling, the water is unlikely to recede quickly,” said UNICEF’s Representative in Malawi, Mahimbo Mdoe in the statement.  “UNICEF is focused in this initial phase on ensuring those who have survived the raging waters are supported with their essential needs such as clean water and health care.”

Mdoe said UNICEF will be quick in its response to reach displaced communities with clean water, sanitation and medical supplies because stagnant water and poor sanitation can be deadly for young children.

The Malawi Government is leading the coordination mechanism for response initiatives with UN Agencies and NGOs as co-leads.

Heavy rains this season, has left over 50 people dead and government estimate 27,000 households (approx 135,000 people) to have been displaced since the floods hit the country. Reports are indicating that some families are still trapped in areas surrounded by water, waiting for air or water rescue by the Malawi Defence Force (MDF). Displaced communities are being housed in schools or ad hoc camps, with a shortage of decent shelter and sanitation facilities.

On Tuesday 13th January 2015, in accordance with powers conferred upon him by Section 32(1) of the Disaster Preparedness and Relief Act, President Professor Peter Mutharika declared all the districts that have been affected by floods Disaster Areas, with immediate effect.

Due to the increasing number of affected people making relief requirements also to increase, President Mutharika also appealed for humanitarian assistance, from the International donor community, the relevant United Nations agencies, the Non Governmental Organisations, the local private sector as well as all fellow citizens of goodwills as additional resources are required to provide assistance to all the affected people.