Robbery at State House office

Thieves on Sunday night stole a 50 metres razor wire from the fence housing administration offices at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre.

In an interview on Wednesday, National Police spokesperson James Kadadzera, while emphasising that the robbery did not take place inside Sanjika place said there was no course for alarm as police are handling the matter.

He said: “The building is metres away from the Sanjika Palace and nothing was tampered with inside the fence apart from the protective wire. Security has been enhanced at the office block and we are working on arresting the culprits.”

Presidential press secretary Anthony Kasunda refused to comment on the matter.

“The State House does not comment on matters related to the security of the President or any of the State Residences,” he said.

But a police report circulating on social media indicates that the block is manned by two security officers during the night.

“Unknown criminals stole 50 meters razor wire from the fence housing administration offices at the palace which is located outside the main palace. Value of the stolen razor wire not yet advised. Meanwhile, investigations are underway to establish the author of the crime,” it reads.

Last Sunday night, thugs attacked Blantyre-based prominent lawyer John Gift Mwankhawa and robbed him a vehicle, phones and other accessories at his house, making him a third lawyer to be attacked in three weeks.

Apart from individuals getting robbed within the central business district, State institutions like police stations are also victims which gives no assurance regarding people’s safety.

For instance, on the night of February 12 to 13 2022, a gang of criminals stormed Lilongwe Police Station where they stole four car batteries and other property from vehicles that were impounded for numerous offences.

During the night of February 13 to 14 2022, criminals broke into Zomba Police Station where they stole a rifle loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition.

On the same night, criminals also attacked a Catholic Institution in Chikwawa District where they stole three laptops and three cellphones from nuns.

Meanwhile, governance and security expert Sheriff Kaisi has said the chronic attacks on highly protected areas are setting a bad precedence in terms of security in the country.

He feared for the security of an ordinary Malawian if dangerous thugs are able to penetrate into such highly protected institutions.

“What about those in Ndirande, Chilomoni or Kafukule? This is not painting a good picture for the country,” said Kaisi.

He described the trend as a bad situation, adding that such cases might scare away foreign investors.

“This goes into different dimensions, it is not only for the police, there must be something that is happening,” he said.

But Kadadzera urged the public to trust the police, saying they are containing the situation.

He cited the arrest of suspects in the Catholic institutions and Lilongwe police robberies.

In 2015, the nation experienced a spate of robberies and attacks on high-profile individuals, prompting suggestions that there was a security lapse.

Among those attacked included Vice-President Saulos Chilima’s official residence in Blantyre, the residence of then Natural Resources, Energy and Mining minister Atupele Muluzi and the theft of the official vehicle of then minister of Information, Tourism and Culture Kondwani Nankhumwa.