The Independent Complaints Commission (ICC) has recommended a full-scale criminal investigation into the June 26 violence against unarmed protesters in Lilongwe and for perpetrators to face the law.
The commission carried out an investigation into the conduct of police in providing security for demonstrating citizens and released its report in Lilongwe yesterday.
In the report, ICC established that there were operational and tactical failures on the part of police.
The investigation, among others, established that some police officers, including a senior officer, deserted their operational posts while some officers fled the scene when violence started.
Besides, the probe also found that police were poorly equipped and failed to act when they were informed that the thugs had gathered at a nearby place to carry out the act.
Reading the report, ICC Commissioner Christopher Tukula said the Inspector General (IG) of Police Merlyne Yolamu should immediately order an investigation and arrest of culprits behind the violence.
He said the ICC will monitor implementation of the recommendations.
Said Tukula: “ICC will engage the leadership of Malawi Police service and Director of Public Prosecutions to track progress in investigation, arrest and prosecution of perpetrators involved in the June 26 violence and the earlier Parliament -related violence.”
The ICC has also asked the police IG to institute internal disciplinary proceedings against all officers who abandoned their posts, failed to execute lawful duties or acted negligently in the face of the danger to civilians, and further recommended that the Director of Public Prosecutions should prosecute three people arrested over similar violent incidents but were released on police bail with no further action.
National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya said he was yet to see the report and could not comment on the matter.
One of the Citizens for Credible Elections leaders Edward Kambanje said they hope that the police will now arrest the perpetrators and prosecute them but also recover property that was stolen.
Panga-wielding thugs assaulted activist Sylvester Namiwa and others in full view of police and Malawi Defence Force soldiers.
President Lazarus Chakwera condemned the violence and indicated that he had ordered Minister of Homeland Security and Minister of Defence to give him a report on what transpired, which he said would shape his action.
