Parliament yesterday unanimously confirmed Richard Luhanga, who President Peter Mutharika appointed early last month, as the new Inspector General (IG) of Police.
The bi-partisan support for Luhanga is an opportunity to rebuild professionalism in the Malawi Police Service (MPS), restore trust and insulate the service from political interference, according to some legislators, government officials and civil society leaders.
The confirmation process started with a motion by Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito, who said Luhanga’s long and decorated career made him the right person to lead reforms in police.
The minister told Parliament: “Here comes a professional police officer who has the internal and external experience, an all-round Inspector General and a fully decorated officer.
“When I came into office, I invited Mr. Luhanga and we discussed concerns about the professionalism of our police officers. We agreed that we must instil more skills, conduct refresher courses and remind our officers of their responsibility to the Malawian people.”
Luhanga. | Nation
Mukhito noted that Luhanga’s confirmation through a voice vote reflected broad confidence across the political spectrum.
“This shows he will have support from both sides of the House. We want to see an active police service, responsive to public safety concerns. Those days of delays are over,” he said.
Speaking as the opposition spokesperson on security, Dedza Kasina member of Parliament (MP) Joshua Malango (Malawi Congress Party) said Luhanga’s appointment was well deserved, given his career progression and experience.
“We want to see an IG who respects the Constitution, strengthens professionalism in the police, and ensures that law enforcement officers serve the people, not those in power,” he said.
The MPS has for decades faced harsh criticism for pandering to the governing elite’s whims at the expense of the general population.
Police bias was especially on display mid this year when officers watched as thugs violently disrupted peaceful cost of living and election management related demonstrations in various parts of the country.
The law enforcers were also helpless against political violence, with perpetrators from major political parties getting away with various offences, including assault on opponents.
This has been a trend since 1994, with MPS not acting against individuals politically connected to ruling parties, but taking action only after perpetrators’ backers leave government.
Yesterday, some civil society leaders welcomed the confirmation as a step towards rebuilding credibility and accountability in MPS.
National Advocacy Platform chairperson Benedicto Kondowe said the unanimous vote was a strong signal of confidence in Luhanga’s leadership.
“This marks an important moment for strengthening professionalism, restoring credibility and ensuring the police operate above partisan interests,” he said.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa also said the new appointment should mark a turning point for law enforcement in Malawi.
Luhanga, 54, joined MPS on January 30,1997 and has risen through the ranks from constable to commissioner. He replaces Merlyne Yolamu, who served as IG from July 22 2022.
He holds a master’s degree in business administration (strategic management) from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biochemistry from the University of Malawi.
Luhanga has represented Malawi in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Liberia, Sudan and Somalia, where he contributed to police reforms and post-conflict peace-building. He also helped design the Police Covid-19 Response Plan and co-developed the Law Enforcement Management Elite Programme in partnership with the University of Northern Kenya.
