IG decries challenges in police service

Inspector General (IG) of Police Lot Dzonzi has bemoaned the challenges faced by the Malawi Police Service (MPS), saying they make officers fail to effectively provide safety and security in the country.

Dzonzi painted a grim picture of what the service is going through on Friday when Home Affairs Minister Paul Chibingu held a meeting with police officers at Area 30 in Lilongwe as part of his familiarisation tour of all departments under his ministry.

“Because of resource constraints, we are not able to work efficiently. We are short of vehicles, uniforms and general equipment in curbing crime,” said Dzonzi.

The IG said only 30 percent of officers have institutional accommodation, forcing the rest to live in rented houses.

“Actually, most institutional houses are in bad condition and this demolarises officers,” said Dzonzi attracting applause from officers.

Addressing the officers, Chibingu said there is political will from President Peter Mutharika to assist the police to perform their duties effectively.

“The President appreciates the work you are doing despite there being limited resources. He has since promised to assist the service. This is not mere talk,” said Chibingu.

Meanwhile, a fuel crisis has hit the MPS, a development that has seen senior officers failing to travel long distances to perform official duties.

On Friday last week, the fuel problem forced deputy commissioner of police Paul Kanyama not to travel from Lilongwe to Bwengu in Mzimba where Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRRC) was handing over a police unit worth over K20 million.

Some police officers present at the handover ceremony were provided with fuel by MHRRC for them to attend the event.