Police, Msundwe residents renew bruised relationship

The Malawi Police Service (MPS) and Msundwe residents on Monday agreed to resume a cordial relationship and  work as partners in crime prevention.

The agreement was reached after a three-hour meeting between the two sides and the Lilongwe Conflict Resolution Committee as a mediator at Namitondo in Namitete, Lilongwe.

Acting Commissioner of Police (Centre) Evalista Chisale, who led the Lilongwe Police team at the talks, said the two sides should bury their differences and start a new chapter to foster development.

“As MPS, we have come to realise that this kind of hostility will pull all of us down. As such, we have come to reconcile with you,” she said.

Chisale said Lilongwe Police are engaging communities on the need to mend their relationship and urging them to maintain peace after the presidential election case ruling on Monday.

During the meeting, the two sides had a mixed sitting arrangement and gave each other turns to present their grievances and suggest how the renewed relationship could work out.

George Frank Kaunda, speaking on behalf of the residents, asked the police to finalise investigations into alleged rape of women from Msundwe, Mpingu and Mbwatalika by police officers.

Lilongwe Conflict Resolution Committee chairperson Alex Chapondera commended the two sides on holding peaceful discussions and reaching an agreement within a short period.

Senior Chief Kalolo in whose area the meeting took place, said the absence of police in the area fuelled criminal activities. The meeting was attended by people from Msundwe, Chileka, M’bwatalika and Namitete.