Police in Central East Region have expressed concern over the rise in defilement and other sexual offences between January and March this year compared with the corresponding period last year.
Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting between police officers and journalists in Kasungu, the region’s spokesperson Esther Mkwanda said sexual offence cases increased from 69 last year to 82 during the period under review.
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“We attribute the increase to harmful cultural practices that continue to persist in some communities,” she said.
Central East Region Police Commissioner Devlin Mwamkili, whose region includes Kasungu, Ntchisi, Nkhotakota, Dowa and Salima districts, called for stronger collaboration among the police, the media and other stakeholders to enhance security in communities.
“We need to work together in fighting crime in our region. Support from stakeholders such as the Judiciary and Malawi Prisons Service is important if we are to effectively reduce crime,” he said.
Mwamkili said while the police remain committed to protecting communities, crime prevention requires a collective effort involving the media, community leaders and members of the public.
Mwamkili also acknowledged that police procedures sometimes delay the dissemination of information, making the media an important partner in ensuring timely communication with the public.
Kasungu district commissioner Lawford Palani emphasised the critical role of the media in promoting development and security within the district.
“The media is key to everything happening. Security remains a major concern for the district council because you cannot talk about development without addressing security issues,” said Palani.
