Police court chiefs in crime prevention

 Lilongwe Police Station officer-in-charge Clement Gulo has asked community leaders in traditional authorities (T/As) Njewa and M’bwatalika to warn their subjects against victimising children and people with albinism.

Speaking on Wednesday when he visited the two areas, the officer-in-charge also urged the traditional leaders to exhaust all legal channels in resolving land and chieftaincy wrangles.

Said Gulo: “You should inform your subjects to refrain from taking the law into their own hands to resolve differences.

“Most importantly, encourage the people to protect the rights of children and people with albinism.”

Chief Njewa pledged to work with the police to protect children and people with albinism.

“We will also ask people to refrain from mob justice because it violates the rights of suspects and makes investigations difficult,” she said.

On her part, T/A M’bwatalika expressed satisfaction with how the rate of crime has decreased since the reopening of Mpingu Police Unit which was demolished during the 2019 demonstrations.

“However, we still have cases of defilement perpetrated by relatives. But I am pleased that police move quickly to arrest suspects when the cases are reported,” she said.

M’bwatalika also thanked Gulo for donating assorted items, including two bicycles, 20 reflector jackets, and sunscreen lotion for people with albinism.

She said the bicycles and reflector jackets will motivate community policing members to do their job.

The relationship between the police and civilians soured in 2019 following protests led by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition demanding the resignation of former Malawi Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Jane Ansah.

During the demonstrations, community members in M’bwatalika and Msundwe torched police units