Mutharika declares war against criminals, orders police to use ‘any force’

President Peter Mutharika has declared war on crime and has since ordered the country’s police service to use any force   within the law and good judgement to deal with criminals.

Mutharika’s order comes at the time the country is experiencing security lapse  with thugs invading residences of top government officials including that of the vice President.

The President appeared to have taken a similar stance his late brother President Bingu wa Mutharika once took when he had ordered the law enforcers to ‘shoot and kill’ criminals as one way of ending crime.

Speaking during a news conference at Sanjika Palace during which the Inspector General of Police Lot Dzonzi announced his resignation, Mutharika warned that it won’t be business as usual for criminals.

“This is now war because I have instructed police officers to use any force within the law to combat and stop crime. We cannot go on like this,” said Mutharika.

Mutharika stresssed his stern warning  he issued on Tuesday during an interface with the media, saying honeymoon for criminals is over.

“Let me also warn criminals that their days are now numbered. The honeymoon is now over because it is not going to be business as usual.”

Mutharika reiterated his pledge to buy 100 vehicles for the police to ensure that the law enforcers have enough vehicles.

He has since ordered the revival of a fund that police uses to pay whistleblowers of crime and donated K3 million to the fund.

Police IG Lot Dzonzi resigned from his position on Saturday and has since been redeployed to the United Nations (UN) as deputy ambassador.

Dzonzi said he resigned from his position to serve the country better.

He  has since been replaced by Paul Kanyama who was deputy IG (administration)..

Mutharika described Dzonzi as a man of integrity and God-fearing.

“I’m very confident that he will represent us well at this world forum. I’m wishing both Messers Dzonzi and Kanyama all the best as they take up their new roles. I assure the new leadership at the Malawi Police Service of my total support,” Mutharika added.

The President pointed out that  Kanyama is inheriting a daunting task of ensuring Malawi is secure.