Poverty worsening crime—experts

Some security experts have described the current spate of criminal activities in the country as “crimes of need”, arguing that the crimes are perpetrated by people who have particular social-economic need.

In an interview last Tuesday, former Inspector General (IG) police Lot Dzonzi observed that a closer look at the type of people who commit common crimes shows that factors such as unemployment, school dropout, lack of employable skills and lack of entrepreneurship skills increase one’s propensity to commit crimes.

Dzonzi was responding to a Weekend Nation analysis of records at Malawi Prison Services (MPS) and Malawi Police Service which show that crime is still high but with a declining trend.

For instance, statistics from prison show that from January to July this year over 710 convicts were jailed for violent crimes compared to 685 in 2022 and 632 the previous year.

The records also reveal that majority of such violent crimes such as theft, burglary, car-jacking, robbery, sexual assault are being committed by youngsters between the ages of 18-25.

Said Dzonzi: “These are crimes that are committed by people who have a particular social-economic need which if they had means they could not have committed. It will, therefore, be noted that in times of plenty, for example, a few months after harvest, the rate of crime drops.

“Similarly, during lean periods, January to March, the crime rate rises. What this means is that people are driven into crime by needs that they have failed to meet through rightful means.”

The former IG has urged government to prioritise job-creation as well as opportunities for entrepreneurship among the youth so as to reverse the trends.

“Social programmes that aimed at the transformation and rehabilitation of children living on the streets and in conflict with the law also need to be prioritised,” he said.

Our analysis of records from the police show that in 2022 at least 39 335 criminal cases were registered compared to 40 627 similar cases recorded in 2021, representing a three percent decrease. The figures include violent crimes such as robbery, defilement and rape.

The statistics also show that the police registered 8 295 and 1 904 breaking and robbery offences in 2022, respectively, compared to 8 651 and 2 043 similar offences in 2021, respectively. This represents a four percent and seven percent reduction, respectively.

In 2022, police also registered 1 920 rape and defilement cases altogether compared to 2 421 similar cases recorded in 2021 representing a 21 percent reduction.

Security consultant Alex Chisiano, however, pointed out that the statistics do not seem to reflect reality on the ground, saying crime in the country is on the upward trend and getting more sophisticated.

In a telephone interview last Wednesday, Chisiano, who is a former police officer, said the crime situation is compounded by what he said was “corruption which appears to be the means of survival by some sections of security agents”.

Said Chisiano: “The figures may have been doctored to bring a sense of security. Public confidence in law enforcement is being tarnished by security agents who want to gain both from the complainant and the perpetrator

“The figures of those convicted could be higher than registered, reflecting a positive push by the courts.”

Chisiano agreed with Dzonzi, saying violent crime is on the rise because of economic factors attached to their commission such as promiscuity, theft, robbery, breaking, heavy drinking of cheap, hard stuff and others items.

He added that economic hardships have a domino-effect on many unscrupulous citizens not being afraid to commit crime.

According to him, the situation requires systematic addressing such as increase in security agents visibility, strong political will and pronouncements that reinforce professionalism and security policy as well as dealing with corruption.

Dzonzi, on the other hand, explained that the environmental design of both business and residential locations also plays a role as the country’s cities are very dark at night.

On his part, Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Security vice-chairperson Bester Awali said the current security situation in the country is worrisome.

He said the increase in robbery cases can be attributed to high poverty levels and the increased number of pardoned prisoners that have been integrated into the society.

National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya in an interview said that the law enforcers use both proactive and reactive interventions to curb the vice.

Some of the proactive strategies include patrols that are done day and night in both rural and urban areas as well as awareness on prevention of crime.

Said Kalaya: “Proactive measures are employed where crimes have already been committed to ensure that they are dealt with decisively so that they do not happen again. They include raids and arrests of suspects, professional investigation of cases and prosecution of suspects.”