Guest Spot

‘I have done my best to protect Malawians’

In this interview with our Lilongwe assistant bureau chief SUZGO KHUNGA, retiring Malawi Police Service (MPS) Inspector General (IG) Lexten Kachama has broken the silence on his replacement, stating that he has gone on leave pending his retirement in June this year. Excerpts:

Kachama: It is all lies that I am joining politics

Thank you for granting us this interview. Are you retiring?

It is true that I will be retiring on June 30, right now I am on leave pending retirement. I have received the letter and it is a normal retirement, very normal.

Is it not that there were issues between you and the President and you have been pushed out?

No, no it’s normal. I have reached the mandatory retirement age as dictated by the Civil Service regulations. I have served many years in the Malawi Police Service [MPS], about 39 years. I have not been chased out, I have not been removed, it is just normal.

Your retirement has coincided with reports that you are joining politics. Tell us more about this.

It was wrong for people to be saying that I have retired because I want to join politics. They must have had ill-intentions to associate me with politics. They even mentioned a political party, you know which one, but it is all lies. I am just a civil servant, as I go to rest there are so many things that I could start doing such as farming or business. Everyone has freedom to do what they wish after retiring, even joining politics but I have no such thoughts or plans. I have served my country as a civil servant, I have done my best to protect the lives and property of Malawians.

Thirty-nine years is a lot to serve as an officer. Are you leaving a satisfied man that you have done your part?

Yes, very much. I am a happy person and satisfied that I have done my part but now it is time to go. There are several things that I should be remembered for and I can just mention a few. As a Police officer, I have worked well with everyone in this country including fellow officers, being on the ground day and night.

I introduced strategies to reduce crime so that Malawians can move around in their own country without fear. Top of such strategies was ensuring that officers are placed in strategic points like roundabouts, corners which thieves can use to injure people, in towns and cities as well as urban areas. Apart from normal patrols, we increased foot patrols so that people feel safe in their countries.

I have also introduced a Police University which will be opened soon at the Police College in Zomba with help from Chancellor College, especially the Vice-Chancellor and lecturers there. This is where officers will be going to study about police management and law.

Apart from rapid response which I found as IG, I introduced several sections in the police such as anti-crime patrol teams to look into the security of people and property in towns.

I am happy to say that I encouraged fellow officers to upgrade their educational qualifications now that the country is blessed with many universities and colleges, both public and private. These have given those who are employed opportunities to upgrade their qualifications, such that a lot of officers have obtained bachelor’s degrees, masters degrees. As I speak, there are several officers going for the PhDs. As you know in the past, to become an officer you needed a Junior Certificate but now those are encouraged to go to night school and get further education. These are the ones who are continuing with their education.

You came to the helm of the MPS at a time when violent crime and armed robberies were rife in the country. What role did you play to reduce such incidences of crime in the country?

It was not just me who contributed to this or the police. The President of this country played a big role, being supportive and giving us the resources to reduce crime. The country has financial challenges but the little available was given to the police to reduce crime. Now people feel safer, their property is safe and incidences like car hijacking or cash in transit robberies are rare. All because of the support of the President.

As an IG, you were not shy to ask for help where it was needed. Who are some of the stakeholders that made your work easy?

To be honest, people love their country, regardless of their tribe or religion. They have worked with the police using various forums such as community policing like the Asian community has done or traditional leaders in rural areas. This is an initiative that colleagues in the past introduced. We cannot achieve our objectives in providing protection without the support of various stakeholders. There cannot be development and investments if there is insecurity. We received a lot of help from the judiciary, such as the High Court through the Chief Justice.

The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) also played a big role in helping out the Malawi Police Service by coming in to assist during times of crisis like the flooding that occurred in Lilongwe to rescue Malawians. They came in with boats and helicopters, equipment that the police does not have. They have done similarly in Salima to help us rescue people.

The police can also be credited for preventing maize shortages in the country by enforcing the ban on maize exportation. Despite the porous borders, the police enforced this and I can confidently say Malawi has maize and people will not be hungry because the maize stayed in the country. We worked together with the MDF and we have saved lives.

Do you have any last words?

I am very thankful for the support rendered by fellow officers and especially their families. Women have always played a big role in the life and work of a Police officer, caring and supporting them at all times. I wish my fellow officers all the best, to continue to serve Malawians and maintain peace and security. I would want them to extend the same support they did with me to the ones who will take my place.

Thank you so much for granting us this interview Dr Kachama. I thought it was important to hear from you before you embark on farming.

Farming is good business, I will enjoy it. Let me also thank you for the opportunity to say something.

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