Police brutality, bribes hit Dowa: Heads must roll, demand chiefs
Just a day after the police arrested their own at at Chesepo Police Unit in Dowa, more people are coming up to claim brutality and bribes by police officers deployed at the unit.
The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) was in the area on an investigative mission after reports that the police went to the village of the girl to intimidate, harass and bully her into withdrawing her claims that she was raped by a police officer.
A father to an 18-year-old student said his son was arrested on October 10 by the officers at the post for posting a face book post which suggested a police officer raped the 14-year-old girl.
“The officers stabbed my son in the back and told us to pay K500, 000 for defaming the police. I didn’t have the money so I paid K35, 000 to bail him out so that he should go to school,” said the father.
He said after getting the money, the officers released him.
A 25 year old man and a 22 year old woman told the commission they paid K10, 000 and K5, 000 respectively on different times to secure bail, saying the police insisted they pay the money if they were to be released from custody.
MHRC officials told the people that bail was free.
Traditional leaders unanimously agreed that all police officers at the unit be transferred.
Meanwhile, MHRC says it is set to independently prosecute a case involving a police officer who defiled a 14-year-old girl while on remand at Chesepo Police Unit.
MHRC executive secretary David Nungu said the commission, police and Malawi Law Society (MLS) have since formed an independent panel to investigate the matter and find credible evidence to be used during prosecution.
Various organisations including MLS, Women Lawyers Association of Malawi, YouthNet and Counselling, Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance and Eye of the Child have shown interest in taking up the case.
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The same with me when I visited my relation at Ndi kunamizana Police Unit in Mchinji, I was told to pay MK30,000.00 for him to be bailed. when I told them that I know well that Police bail is not paid they insulted me and told me that if I know the bail rules well then I should shut up and that my relative will not be released. Later on they changed the tune that I should go to Mchinji Border Police station for his bail. I was furious then went straight to the O/C of the station who was… Read more »
apolisi zopusa zanuzo musamale tikunyenyanyenyani
It flows from the top down… Our well paid politicians and president are well paid but they steal daily.
Inenso wapolisi wamkazi anandigona atandigwira vakabu. Akundigona ankandiumbuza chifikwa chida changa akuti sichimafika pomwe iye amafuna
Human Rights can you also investigate the same at Mikundi Police Unit, TA Nduwa, Mchinji East where the police have become a court and judge. Do through interviews with communities around the station and you will hear horrible stories of suspects being tortured and asked to pay for release. When matters of corruption are reported to district police station no action is taken to investigate
What can we say. We are living in a society which is corrupt to the core. If well paid and fed people like the President and Ministers are involved in stinking corruption, what do you expect of a poorly paid fera holding the power of a gun? We are doomed. Sodom and Gomorrah were better places than we live in
MOST OF THESE CRIMINAL CRIMES /ACTS
ARE COMMITTED BY THESE MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM IN OUR SOCIETIES —- WE ARE ONLY
SAVED BY MOB JUSTICE OTHERWISE THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT SERIOUS WITH THEIR JOB
It is dangerous when thieves wear police uniform. Bribes in police service have reached stinking level. When you see police officers on the road regulating vehicles, don’t think they are interested in your safety, they are there to make money. Shame.
These corrupt police officers should be arrested and prosecuted.
The most corrupt are Policemen and women. Have you not asked questions where most of them are getting the cars they are driving and good houses (mainly those working in cities where the cost of living is high) with their meagre salaries as some have not even gone to peace keeping missions.