Cdedi queries police over Indian suspect
Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (Cdedi) has written to Inspector General of Police Merlyn Yolamu to disclose what happened to an Indian alleged to have sexually abused male employees in Lilongwe.
In a statement issued yesterday, Cdedi has asked the police to tell Malawians what happened to the case and where the suspect is.
The incident was revealed in February last year after the then minister of Labour Vera Kamtukule visited Bakelines Limited where the suspect was working.
“It is on record that the matter was first reported to the Area 30 Police Station on January 24, 2022, then to Kanengo Police Station where it was referred to a hospital and a medical examination confirmed sodomy.
“The nation was informed thereafter that a warrant of arrest was secured and that the police launched investigations on one hand while details emerged on the other hand that the suspect was kept at a traceable house in Area 10 in Lilongwe while arrangements were being made to help him leave Malawi,” reads the statement signed by Cdedi executive director Sylvester Namiwa.
He said it was surprising that one year down the line, Malawians were in the dark on the progress of the case let alone the identity of the suspect contrary to all other sodomy cases where names of suspects are disclosed.
Cdedi has also demanded the police to prove to the nation the efforts taken to ensure that the suspect should be brought to book.
The organisation has further given the police seven days to provide the requested information failing which it will take unspecified action “to ensure that justice is served on the matter.”
Both Yolamu and National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya were not available yesterday when contacted on the issue.
In a statement posted on its Facebook page after Kamtukule visited the company, the Ministry of Labour said it had established that the young men in question were indeed abused.
The ministry also requested for the revocation of the temporary employment permit of the suspect and further directed Bakelines management to install within seven days CCTV cameras, especially where abuse was happening and where abuse can happen as well as enhance lighting of the said areas.
The letter has also been copied to Kamtukule, Minister of Labour Agness Nyalonje, Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale-Ngoma and Anti-Corruption Bureau director general Martha Chizuma.
