Thugs target Cedep, steal office equipment

Malawi’s Centre for Development of People (Cedep) has become the latest victim of poor security in the country after thieves swept their offices clean of most equipment such as computers, printers, photocopiers and three brand new cameras dawn of Sunday.

But Cedep executive director Gift Trapence said he would not jump to conclude that the break-in was linked to the work of the organisation, which is to promote human rights, especially of minority groups such as sex workers and homosexuals.

Trapence told The Nation that the unknown thugs, whose number is not known, tied up the security guard at the office located in Area 47, before smashing their way into the building.

“It was around 2am when the thieves tied up our guard, after drilling a hole in the brick fence to get into the compound,” Trapence said.

The organisation was yet to value the goods which have been lost through the theft by yesterday morning.

“We are hoping it’s a mere robbery. But as an institution, Cedep has been targeted in the past,” Trapence said.

Lilongwe Police spokesperson Ramsey Mushani did not have information about the robbery by Sunday.