Police intensify security
Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Paul Chibingu yesterday said police are on higher alert following recent attacks of Malawians and foreign nationals by armed robbers who continue to terrorise the country’s three major cities.
Chibingu’s assurance follows recent attacks in Blantyre where two people have been brutally murdered and some have been attacked as the assailants went away with cash and some valuables.
Briefing journalists in Lilongwe, the minister said government has put immediate police action and has intensified investigation into the incidents.
He said so far police have arrested one suspected criminal.
Chibingu, accompanied by Inspector General of Police Lot Dzonzi, said some of the attacks are believed to be organised mainly by employees.
Said the Minister: “It has come to my minstry’s attention that some [employers] are paying meagre salaries to their employees; hence, they become disgruntled and attack their employers.”
The minister has since advised employers to desist from keeping huge amount of money in their shops.
He said government will commit adequate resources to the resources-strained Malawi Police Service (MPS) to ensure maximum security to people’s lives and property.
In his remarks, Dzonzi said MPS requires K7 billion (US$17 031 630) in salaries and K2 billion (US$4 866.2) for operations to function effectively.
