IG unleashes 1400 police recruits

Inspector General (IG) of Police Merlyn Yolamu has moved to beef up security by ordering the immediate release and deployment of police recruits undergoing training at the country’s three police training schools.

In an internal memo dated September 25 2023 signed by Malawi Police Service director of human resource management and development Dennis Chipao, on behalf of the IG, states that the deployment of about 1 400 recruit constables should start today.

Reads the communication in part: “Recruit constables will be dropped off at all regional police headquarters. [Police] stations to arrange accommodation and provide transport to ferry these recruits from regions to stations.”

The IG’s order comes amid the deteriorating security situation in the country that has led to the murder of innocent individuals.

On whether the order is in relation to the rising cases of assault and murder in some parts of the country, National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya was elusive, saying the memo was meant for internal use.

Some of the latest incidents of murder include that of Reserve Bank of Malawi information and communications technology expert Agnes Katengeza and Coca-Cola Beverages Company (Malawi) sales manager Alan Wittika who were separately found dead in their vehicles.

Katengeza was reported missing on Saturday and was found with stabbed wounds and dumped at the back of her vehicle near her house in Area 47 in Lilongwe. She was buried yesterday. While Wittika was found dead on Wednesday morning, hours after knocking off from work the previous day. He was buried at Misesa Cemetery in Blantyre on Friday.

Meanwhile, the United Nations’ Department of Security and Safety has advised United Nations Security Management System personnel and their dependents to be aware of the potential increase in the threat on such crimes.

The department further advises their personnel to avoid offering lifts to unknown individuals.

On Monday, some civil society organisations and opposition Democratic Progressive Party and United Democratic Front condemned the attacks and called for immediate action.

Police, Ministry of Homeland Security and National Intelligence Service officials are on October 4 2023 expected to appear before the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Security to explain what they are doing on the current security lapse.