Fire Damages MAFCO Quartermaster: MDF, Police Establishing the Cause

Fire Damages MAFCO Quartermaster: MDF, Police Establishing the Cause

Malawi Police Service and Malawi Defense Force are in a joint investigation into the cause of fire which has gutted down Malawi Armed Forces College (MAFCO) Quartermaster destroying property worth Millions of Kwachas.

Salima Police Public Relations Officer Sergeant Gift Chitowe confirmed that the raging fire which began on the evening of 25th January has burnt to ashes property including uniforms, beddings and kitchen utensils and food.

"By the time police visited the scene found that the fire was still on and items such as uniforms that is Camouflages, boots, and beddings, kitchen utensils, fridges plus food items all got burnt to ashes." He said "Currently the soldiers in collaboration with the police are working hand in hand to establish the cause of fire."

Global Fund Allocates $574 M to Support MW on AIDS, TB, Malaria

Global Fund Allocates $574 M to Support MW on AIDS, TB, Malaria

The Malawi high-level delegation to Geneva, Switzerland to hold discussions with the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria on a number of issues, has disclosed that Global Fund has committed to allocate $574 million to Malawi for initiatives that strive for the best use of the money in the fight against three diseases over the next three years until December 2017.

Minister of Health Dr. Jean Kalilani who led Lilongwe delegation between January 17th to 20th January 2015, told members of press on Monday evening in Lilongwe that Global Fund has "declared its strong support" for 90-90-90, the road map developed by UNAIDS that is designed to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 with rapidly increased HIV testing, prevention and treatment and with eliminating stigma and discrimination.

The minister said Malawi government in the meeting "expressed commitment to maximizing the impact of Global Fund resources through a responsible, accountable and efficient use of funds including implementing public financial management reforms and measures to strengthen procurement and supply chain management systems."

A joint statement issued at the end of the meeting between Malawi and Global Fund indicates that Malawi Government has made steady progress in public financial management reforms and has installed a Fiscal Agent at ministry of health which has led to improvements in the control of Global Fund resources.

It adds that a reform process for the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and oversight structures for the Global Fund grants has been initiated together with various stakeholders.

The statement further indicates that Malawi government has committed to domestic financing that is "willingness to pay" of $30 million towards the national response to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria spread over a three year period.

The minister mentioned that the delegation also held meeting with Executive Director for UNAIDS, Mr. Michael Sidibe.

Dr. Kalilani said the UNAIDS director commended Malawi for "taking concrete actions" particularly reforms on proper management of HIV/AIDS resources and an allocation for the very first time of Malawi's own domestic resources for the ARV budget to the tune of $8.5 million.

The Minister noted that the trip was an important confidence building mission to update Global Fund on the performance improvement plans submitted by two principle recipients Malawi Government and National AIDS Commission (NAC) in 2014 and inform Global Fund on measures to be undertaken to restore confidence in Malawi's financial management and oversight as government is still writing concept notes requesting for funding for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria from Global Fund.

The Lilongwe delegation to Geneva included Chief Secretary to the Government, UNAIDS Country Director, acting Executive Director at NAC and Executive Director for Malawi Network for People Living with HIV (MANET+).

Salima Police Confiscate 27 Bags of Indian Hemp

Salima Police Confiscate 27 Bags of Indian Hemp

A 28 year old man is in police custody in Salima district for being found with 27 bags of Indian hemp.

 Salima Police Public Relations Officer Sergeant Gift Chitowe said the suspect Calvin Malisani was found in possession of the prohibited product in the minibus he was traveling in on Thursday from Nkhotakota district to Salima district.

Sgt Chitowa said police arrested the man at Kuti turnoff along Salima Lilongwe road following a tip from members of general public that the suspect was on his way while in possession of Indian hemp. He said all 27 bags weigh 50 kilograms each.

Calvin Malisani Mphonde hails from Chikunichowola village of T/A Mphonde in Nkhotakota district and will appear in court soon to answer charges of found in possession of Indian Hemp.

Police Hunting Criminals Carjacked Information Minister’s Vehicle

Police Hunting Criminals Carjacked Information Minister’s Vehicle

The Malawi Police Service (MPS) says is hunting for criminals who robbed official vehicle for Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture late hours of Thursday at Lunzu in Blantyre.

A Toyata VX, white in colour, Reg. No.MG330M belonging to Ministry of Information has been stolen by unknown criminals at New Nansengwe lodge at round 21:30 hours.

Senior Superintendent Mable Msefula, Deputy Press and Public Relations Officer said currently, police are investigating the matter to recover the vehicle as well as arrest the criminals.

“We are also urging the general public to tip us if they see such type of vehicle in their areas.” Said Snr Supt Msefula, “Malawi Police Service is advising drivers especially those who drive government vehicles to always exercise extra precautionary security measures as such vehicles attract criminals”

Snr. Supt Msefula said the vehicle was being driven by Mr. Jafali Malemia and thecriminals also stole cellphones and other properties from guards at the said lodge.

The Minister of Information Kondwani Nankhumwa was not in the vehicle at the time of robbery.

FMB Robbery; Police Arrests Another Suspect

FMB Robbery; Police Arrests Another Suspect

The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has arrested Grey Bamusi in connection to the armed robbery which took place at First Merchant Bank (FMB) Livingstone Towers Branch in Blantyre in which money amounting to K112, 000,000 got stolen, and a police officer was murdered, other officer was severely injured.

Senior Superintendent Mable Msefula, Deputy Press and Public Relations Officer for MPS confirmed the development and said the suspect hails from Makalauka Village T/A Chikowi in zomba.

Snr. Supt Msefula said the suspect was found with items, suspected to have been bought using the stolen money. The items include motor vehicle Toyota Ruox Reg. No. ZA2009, Zuku decoder and dish and upright fridge.

The MPS Deputy PRO said investigations are still going on to trace the remaining criminals and urged members of the general public to assist police with information leading to the arrests of the remaining suspects and others connected to criminal activities.

“The Malawi police service is calling upon the public to tip police on people suspected to be connected to criminal activities, more especially people who stay in our areas but they do not have proper means of earning a living more especially in towns. Landlords also should be patriotic by vetting tenants before they allow them to stay in their houses. And also those in hospitality business like lodges ,rest houses, hotels should be examining carefully on customer lodging in their rest houses and report on suspicious people to police.” Said Msefula

The arrest which happened on Thursday comes after eight other arrests made recently in connection to the incident. The suspects are Felix Malope from Chitengu Village T/A Bvumbwe in Thyolo, Peter Malunga of Musa Magasa Village T/A Machinjiri in Blantyre, Keston Mbewe of Makunje Village in Machinhiri Blantyre, Felix Khozomba from Likumbo Village T/A Likoswe iin Chiradzulo, William Chirwa from Nzikuola Village in T/A Mlonyeni in Mchinji.

The other suspects are Edward Kamiza of Lizulu T/A Goman in Ntcheu, Limbani Hope of Mlaope Village T/A Nsanama in Balaka and Martin Malimwe from Kalongonda T/A Mabuka in Mulanje district.

The Malawi Police Service has also strongly condemned acts of mob justice by some quarters of society following the recent incident happened in Chilomoni township where an angry mob killed Andy Wilson, 30, from chibwana village, T/A Kuntaja in Blantyre after being caught stealing goats.

Msefula has urged the public to desist from such behavior and called on local leaders to encourage people to enhance community policing by formulating structures and neighborhood watch groups.

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 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 17^th and 18^th January this year. On Monday 19^th 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