The Commissioner of Police responsible for South Eastern Region Mrs. Sekani Tembo has said she is concerned with the continued violations of human rights and killing of people suspected of committing crimes.
The Compol made this remarks today 10th March, 2021 when she held a Community Policing Strengthening and Coordination meeting at Senior Chief Kadewere Headquarters in Chiradzulu where she had a dailogue with Community and opinion leaders. She warned that firm action will be taken by her office against individuals who wish to go against the Law in her Region. The Commissioner challenged the participants that Police will not relent but to arrest the whole village if communities fail to reveal perpetrators of such acts happening in their areas of jurisdiction.
“We cannot allow communities to continue adopting this course of taking the law into their hands. Anybody who will take part in mob justice will be dealt with mercilessly.”
Mrs Sekani Tembo (Compol) added that the continued arbitrary loss of life at the hands of members of the public, constitutes a gross violation of the right to life referring to chapter 4 sec 16 of the Malawi Constitution.
“Chiradzulu alone in the year 2020 had registered 8 cases of people killed by mob, this year within a period of two months we have 12 people murdered in Chiradzulu, this is uncalled”
Further, the Commissioner said she is concerned at the continuing unlawful acts by members of the public, who have resorted of having sexual Intercouse with girls under the age of sixteen.
She said that 64 children in Chiradzulu have been defiled in two months since the beginning of this year. She therefore urge chiefs and opinion leaders to explore ways and means to end this malpractice.
On the issue of Motorcycle-taxi operators (Kabaza) Commissioner said her office will continue arresting anyone operating/using unregistered Motorcycles, riding without driver’s license, riding without crush helmets and uninsured motorcycles. She encouraging the leaders to extend the Message to the communities. She also reminded them that some criminals are take advantage of these unregistered Motorcycles to rob and steal.
On Covid19 Preventive measures, the Compol SER justified Police action saying the enforcement of the regulations has contributed to the decrease in numbers of people being infected by Corona virus by wearing face mask. She said her office will continue to enforce the regulations by closing the bars and making sure that people are following the curfew.
South Eastern Region Police has rolled out the initiative of engaging tradition gatekeepers and opinion leaders in identifying solutions to increasing cases of mob justice, defilement and attacks on people with albinism.