Kanyama resigns as Malawi Police IG: MPs trash his appointment

February 6, 2015 Wanga Gwede- Nyasa Times 142 Comments

Inspector General of Police Paul Kanyama has resigned amidst resistance by members of parliament to confirm his appointment to the post.

Kanyama: Pulled a fast one to resign
Kanyama: Pulled a fast one to resign

President Peter Mutharika appointed Paul Kanyama alongside Rodney Jose for the post of Inspector General and Deputy Inspector General of Police respectively after the resignation of Loti Dzonzi who was appointed Deputy Permanent Representative of Malawi to the United Nations in New York, United States of America.

His name was taken to parliament by Home Affairs Minister Paul Chibingu for confirmation on Friday but many opposition lawmakers particularly from MCP rejected his name on grounds of education credentials.

The MPs also argued that Kanyama can not head a reformed Police service.

But Kanyama sensing danger of being rejected, pulled a fast one and has since resigned.

Police spokesperson Rhoda Manjolo said Kanyama has resigned “on health grounds.”

Kanyama himself said “I am no longer Inspector General of Police, I have resigned.”

“I am in poor health, yes so much that it will not be in the interest of my family to continue doing this work in the state of my health,” said Kanyama.

“I joined the Malawi police 1978 and that is a long time ago,” he continued, adding: “Police work is self demanding and stressful and with my poor health it does not augur well.”

“I was diagnostic (sic) of diabetes in 2008,” he said.

Kanyama said he collapsed on Thursday due to high sugar levels  and wants to recuperate home.

Before being appointed as Deputy IG in June 2014, Kanyama was serving as Regional Commissioner for the North and also as Officer In charge for Blantyre and Limbe Police Stations.

Government then withdrew his appointment from being approved by parliament.

Nyasa Times reported recently that Kanyama already retired from the service and received his severance pay from the government.

Meanwhile, the police deputy chief  Rodney Jose is incriminated in the murder of a University of Malawi student in 2011, Robert Chasowa. Justice on the murder of the student has been defeated.

Most suspects of the murder are regime agents including Noel Masangwi, a powerful member of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

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142 replies on “Kanyama resigns as Malawi Police IG: MPs trash his appointment”

  2. Don’t just say graduate because all the graduates in the Malawi Police are graduates who have failed to perfome in their fields.They Joined the Police for green PASTURE..Check it Up.C U.

  5. I cry for my country. A country without a vision will surely perish. How would a country with a vision appoint someone with 37 years of working and with MSCE qualifications to head an important institution as Malawi Police. Kanyama was too old to manage the police. The fact that he worked for 37 years without improving his education confirms his unfitness to run the police. And how does a country with a vision appoint a non graduate to head such an institution in the 21st century specifically 2015. Shame Lo!

  6. ASAAAAAAAA…. IN A ROTTEN COUNTRY LIKE MALAWI, IT WILL NOT BE UNUSUAL TO SEE A CRIMINAL SUSPECT DEPUTY IG APPOINTED TOP COP. JUST IMAGINE CHASOWA BEING YOUR SON.

  10. Kodi a Malawi chizungu, mmachitenga, ngati nyambo? President wa ku Russia, China Egypt the list continues. … chizungu alibe nacho mncthito.
    What we want ku MPS ndi munthu wa changu odana ndi u mbanva komaso asakhale wadyera.
    Enanu mupanga phokoso za police simukuzidziwa. Why mixing politics ndi police ?
    Constitution yathu isinthe. A phungu sadziwa za security .kodi Police commission mukutani?
    School ya bwana yo mwaiona lero?
    Chosani a police a MSCE mulembane ma graduates akuba funding.
    Wake up parliamentarians do your respective jobs stop putting yr eyes on police too much.
    To The President I say sorry , zadziwika kuti nduna zanu mzakuba zikuvutani.

  11. Oppressive dpp sold masasa village to foreigner mota engel.bwanji osagulitsa malo opanda anthu? Ife mukuti tipite kuti?dziko ndilanthu koma antchona atigulitsa.dziko liri mmanja mwa amntchona

  12. Mr kanyama amadwala koma adwala kwambiri chifukwa cha anthu ophedwa last wk. Ku monkeybay kwa masasa. Expect somebody bigger to b sick with this again. Enenu mcp mwangodana nayo. Mcp alone can not control parliament without support from dpp mps.muisovenge imwe mwa wanthu.viva mcp.viva dpp mps who did this.mcp 4ever.dpp will die in the absence of wamunthali.family parties are meant to die, mcp is an instution.

  13. Leave MCP alone, we in the Malawi Police Service didnt love him and he was very bad IG i ve never seen in my entire life,He promoted ana oyamba kumene ntchito without papers those joined Police during the very end period of kahuna are my boses.Am a hard working police officer with several expriences but up to now am constable atleast dzodzi was considering both education and hard working.kumangopatsana ma promotion pa chibale?ayende bwino mizimu ya anthu 20 ikumudikira afe nsanga akayakhe milandu kwa mulungu

  14. Nde titani nayo Police? Ingokhatu department ya mdf. A mdf atumizeko one senior officer to head police. Kanyama zavuta chifukwa cha school. Jose sangakhale chifukwa cha milandu ya Robert Chasowa.

  18. Malawi dziko lomvesa chisoni silingazatukuke pokhapokha MCP izathesesdwe. How do you expect an oppressive party like MCP which does not fully understand their role as opposition to be working with govt. kodi aMalawi mumaganiza chipani Ichi chinazunza anthu and you still entertain it.You have 1 million years to develop. It pains me ndimkangomva MCP it’s like all MALAWIANS saganiza. Kuteroko simuonapo vuto. Young men and women in Malawi wake up its your time come up with strong parties osati kumangoba apa

  20. The whole IG saying “I was diagnostic of diabetes” instead of “I was diagnosed of diabetes”. Education is a key to knowledge ndithu………………………………..mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

  22. APM seriously you want to appoint Sato as new IG just because she gave you blankets when you were areested during JB s regime? You need to stop these political appeasement please

  23. I think we need to understand kanyama and that what he has spoken its what we know.Our responsibility is to pray for kanyama and not to our words in his house.

  27. SO THE APPOINTING OFFICER APPOINTED A SICK PERSON TO HEAD THE POLICE SERVICE AMONGST THE MANY HEALTHIER SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS? MAY BE THE APPOINTING OFFICER IS SICK AS WELL? SOME US, GOOD THINKING MALAWIANS BECOME SICK JUST AT THE MENTION OF THE NAME RODNEY JOSE WHO HAD A BIG HAND IN THE BUTCHERING OF THE POLYTECHNIC STUDENT LATE ROBERT CHASOWA, MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  29. Mbuli zonse zichotsedwe mu mps tatopa ndi kuthiridwa teargas ife mu town ngati kuti ndife ma vendor pomwe tikupita mdzintchito zathu.

    1. APM is a good president the problem is that he trusts wrong people. Kanyama was an effective IG its a pity he has gone. OPC must disband because as HEs office its failing the president. For example everybody knows that Chilima is screwing Jennifer Mjuweni in his office everyday and then he pressures OPC to promote her OPC writes APM that this lady is a performer she must be promoted and APM says yes because he trusts OPC. Yes we will blame APM koma its OPC that is at fault. George Mkondiwa must have a spine and be an honest CS. The CS reports and takes instruction only from the president otherwise someone is trying ursurp HEs powers. Lastly how on earth can the Reform Commission announce the launch by APM? It should be HEs office i.e. OPC. Rumours are also going around that Chilima has identified another VICTIM to fuck and she will be appointed PS reforms. Pse APM reform Chilima for reforms to work.

  32. Waopa mdf ameneyo. Iwe ungamange dc wathu? Ukanasowa phwanga. Now the mps wil start respecting the mdf. Thanks MCP!

  34. Well its high time Malawi as country need to learn and make sure that those that are supposed to retire do so. Pail ana ambiri akusowa ntchito. Nkhalamba kukakamira

  37. Chithayala chamuvinga,ntchito yautsikali timadikila zinthu zitatu:kumwalila,kuchotsedwa kapena kupuma.Sizachilendo izi.

  38. A mcp ndi a mcp basi kaya apite phiri ilo kaya ilo azakhalabe a khwesi basi. A police muziwe kuti mbili yanu yinaipa pamene munapha Gadama ndi ena through mcp

  42. I think he has done his part and fare thy well kanyama. But on the other hands its a lesson to other officers education is very vital in modern day

  43. He was partisan. Remember comments he made against PP government. He had incriminated himself. Shupit IG

  45. Kanyama should have been retained as DIG Operations because he was effective and not as IG. Using lack of education to disqualify his was plain stupid because he was better than Dzonzi. It is time as a nation we started considering performance more than paper qualifications.

    1. Ndinu osapita kusukulu inu! Both education and experience are important and none can substitute the other. But to have an MCE holder as IG in the 21st century is shameful

  47. Whatever the reasons behind kanyama’s resignation or planned rejection by our distinguished elected citizens of malawi, national security community in malawi will be missing his experience and contributions in national security issues. I as passionate security disciple I learned a lot from him. He was at the centre of encouraging young,energetic and educated Malawian youth to join the security world. I hope authorities will do what is required to properly use his knowledge and experience for young officers. I salute u comrade for shaming unpatriotic Malawians eating tax payers money in the name of mps.

  49. With the stupidity of this back-door govt. the master minder of the Chasowa murder Rodney Jose will become Inspector General of Police. Pansi mtedza a Malawi! Titha kuti psiti ……

  52. He was a very humble and dedicated Officer. Will be missed always. Although it is not very clear whether he has voluntarily resigned or has been forced to do so by Parliament my advice to MPs is to put immature politics aside. It did not require someone with degrees only but with integrity and ability to perform. I SALUTE YOU MR KANYAMA!!!

  54. Anthu mumapha mutawagwira bwino bwino aja mizimu Yao yakupezani ,pamaso pa mulungu palibe kusiyana “usaphe”

  55. He has tried his best,apolice anayamba patrolling in ntown coz of him but not it will be a cuos,eish malawians,xool has got nothing to do with operation.Musova.

  58. Humble and respectable I met him once he came to my house and we sat under my mango tree itas Late President Bingus relative had passed away. What a shame to hv to lose a man like him in the Police service. Keep well Mr Kanyama

  59. Paul Kanyama, do not go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jehova plse intervene

  62. suja adaphetsa anthu ku north pa 20 july kodi?Iyaaa chakhaula chimenechi ineyo i don’t care .He deserves it mxiiiii how can a criminal head police?

  63. I think its stupid and naive to say that the MCP is behind this, kanyama has resigned before his parliament approval or dis approval so why blaming MPS if you go into history you will know that kanyama was once a MYP which was is a brain child of MCP and in another case he is a child of MCP if we talk of experience and operations I would say the IG is the chief executive of the Malawi Police not Chief Operations of the same so he was fit may be for operations and not chief executive. After all he does not have the required papers unless you tell me experience or brutality may replace papers. He was also a master minder of the killing of the twenty people during late Kahuna’s time, and it is that qualifications that earned him the top cop. Let him go and rest period waiting to ans before GOD what he knows about the 20 killed demonstrators and other things he knows I hope the spirits of those are not waiting for him. fare well kanyama

  64. He was not hit to be IG but I blame the president. Many of his nominations or appointments including some In the cabinet. have controversial past, why does he do that? Is it because some are linked to his own past controversies?

    Kanyama should never have been nominated or appointed, the same for his deputy.

    These people should never have been working before PAC confirmation or approval. They should have been interviewed first by pac, then upon approval or confirmation take their posts. But It seems things have been done in reverse.

  68. Koma yhaa!! Zilikumalawi,ndiye timve ziti?zakukanidwa ndi ma MPs kapena zakuvuta kwamnthupi.

  69. sad to lose operational man! good news to let retirees retire honourably and get their deserved rest. who is to be the next Chief??

  73. MCP SIKONDWERA NDI ANTHU AMENE ANADZIWA MOMWE LUNGUZI ANAFERA. PAUL KANYAMA NDI M’MODZI MWA ANTHU AMENEWA……..SORRY STATE MU MCP…. MY MCP… CHIPANI CHATHU………..DZULO KUNALI KABWIRA TALEPHERA KUMUDZUDZULA LERO TIKUKANA KANYAMA…INE NDINE WA MCP KOMA YOKHAYI MULIBEMO…….. ANTHU OPHUNZIRA ANGAPITE KU OPERATIONS YOGWIRA MBAVA…MBALATU AMAGWIRA NDI APOLISI AKE AMENEWA. KODI ENA KU MCP ALI NDI MAPHUNZIRO OTANI…TAONA ANTHU OSAPHUNZIRA PA MALAWI POMPANO AKUTSOGOLERA DZIKO ENA KUMAKHALA MA MP..BWANJI SIMUWACHOTSA PAMPANDO….KODI NDI ANGATI M’MIDZI MWATHUMU OPHUNZIRA AMAKUMBA MANDA.ZANKUTU..NDAPITA KWATHU KU NTHULU

  74. lets change our system… how does one start work before confirmation on the post? very funny ne? APPOINT>>>CONFIRM>>>WORK…SIMPLE..YEAH?

    let them be confirmed first before they start their jobs to avoid all these unnecessary inconveniences…….otherwise does it mean that he was being ‘paid’ illegally?

  75. Mr Analyst,
    The Police has two deputy inspector Generals,
    one is Rodney Jose who is DIG operations, and the other is Lexon Kachama who is DIG Adminstration. Hahaha! I bet you feel like a schmuck now don’t you?

  76. Congrats kanyama!nd bwino kumvomeleza zkakumvuta osat kumakakamila znthu zisakuyenda.komanso kumadwala mwa serious ukanal pa udindowu ukanationongela timisonkho tathu pofuna kuthandizidwa.Pano tmakana ngat za bingu coz znatikwana

  77. Osamanena zambiri mukakhala pa udindo.Simumati nthawi ya PP ntchito yapolisi siyimayenda bwino ndeapa zataniso?Goodbye brother

  79. In Kanyama, Malawians have lost a very able a experienced officer and commander. People have to realise that Police work is not only about papers/qualifications. Operational experience and know-how is crucial. Kanyama worked under so may IGs and was very exposed experience wise. He was one of late Lunguzi`s trusted assistants for over 13 years, he was the right hand man for IGs Kumbambe, Mukhitho and Dzonzi. Had been commissioner for the Southern region, Eastern and Northern. Was deputy, then head of operations as DCP and eventually headed Operations as DIG. Fluent in English, Chichewa, chiyao and chitumbuka,.,..and I mean really fluent!
    A MCP or whoever has shot down his appointment have made a blunder just to score political points. The state of the country`s security needed an operations guy like Paul Kanyama. Educated people like Kumbambe, and Dzonzi were mere pen pushers and failed operations wise. It is a damn shame if you ask me! Farewell Paul, go rest Man!

    1. i feel sorry for you Getrude Ishmael. Things dont work that in Malawi. Paul Kanyama is indeed well experienced but politics has say in everything. We have so many people who can run departments,statutary companies, etc. But these are discarded in the same way as Parliament has done. Our main problem is that politics have taken over the government. Everthing is being done on political first,country second.

    2. i feel sorry for you Getrude Ishmael. Things dont work that in Malawi. Paul Kanyama is indeed well experienced but politics has say in everything. We have so many people who can run departments,statutary companies, etc. But these are discarded in the same way as Parliament has done. Our main problem is that politics have taken over the government. Everthing is being done on political first,country second. Remember Nangware

    4. Mbuzi yamunthu iwetu…everywhere in the world where real professionalism is valued in the police service, police officers’ lowest qualification’s A Levels for beginners. So why are trying to back mbutuma ngati Kanyama? Be critical and evaluative in your contribution. I know this Kanyama as a police office in Lumbadzi back in the days I don’t think he qualifies for the post.

    5. This guy was partisan. Remember comments he made about PP government. He is running away from his own shadows

  81. White chalk wrtten on RED brick
    this is a medtocrisy of not running
    too soon from school baba Kanyama

  84. Koma anthu ndithu you’re pleased kuti Kanyama is gone? Would you like another Dzonzi who treats criminals with kid gloves and sits idle while the police service becomes another criminal branch? I may be an MCP supporter but on this one I say Fuck MCP!

    1. Achimwene the point here is that he has resigned, not that mcp thing. In your view do you thnk he was fit to stand the heat? He was of age, let someone fit take that position and the whole police will be stirred for the good of malawi.

    2. You give the impression that security had improved under Kanyama’s watch. I didn’t have that sense!!

  87. Timadziwa ife kuti akuluwa salimba kuchuluka zokambakamba,nanga za economy munkacomenta zija economy yake munaphunzilira kuti inu munthu oti munalowera ntchito certificate ya STD5.kapumeni munatikwananso…

  89. Wachita bwino galu ameneyu was another Mukhitho in making. He was more political instead of being balanced and MP’s were prepared to reject his appointment ,,anayiwonera patali.

  93. Izi siza Kanyama ndilibe nazo ntchito. Ndikungoona Akuti mzimai a Malamula pakatipayu ati anali ku mapemphero ku America, iyayi amayankhula, iyayi zikumuyendera, mundigudireko akumatumiza zithunzio atufusireko kuti abwera liti kuno. Ndiokakhaliratu kodi.

  95. Mwati Thodi amwenye azazatu muno, simukudziwa kuti amapereka ma TEP mwachinyengo kwa mmwenye waku First Merchant Bank nthawi imene ali ku immigration. Chonde pedzani wina

  97. Your report is speculation. Has parliament rejected him or he has resigned because of poor health? Can you be professional in your reporting. Do not give readers your own assessment. Tell us what has happened, not hearsay or speculation.

    If he has been rejected by parliamentary committee, let someone form the committee confirm it. At least quote someone. I do not know why Nyasa management like publishing speculative stories. Ask your reporters to verify information before you are publish it.

    As of now, readers do not know the truth why the IG has resigned.

    1. Malume the news is that the man has resigned and according to the Police and his own words is because of poor health. What else do you want to hear.

      Mukuonekatu muli ndivuto kuva simple facts

  98. I belv Paul Kanyama was a better IG so far. The short period he has driven the Police Service, I think some positive changes were being made. Bravo Paul. Malawi will miss u

  100. Abambowa Ikuwasata Ndi Minyama. Anabwera Ndi Nkhanza Kwa Apolice Anzawo. Akanayerekeza Kumuvomera Zinthu Ku Police Zikanasokonekera Coz Anthu Akanamagwira Ntchito Atakwiya Naye.

  101. Elvis Thodi abwerele basi
    we need. An I G who is reformed educated and has vastly worked in different security services in Malawi.lets get Bwana Thodi on board as wachinyamata and dedicated

  102. I agree with comment number 18, he has indeed registered achievements in short period.
    I tip the one coming and entire service to monitor the vehicle DZ4223 whose owner is a confirmed armed robber and openly challenge police cannot do anything to him. we are living in fear in our areas 24 and 36.

  103. You can run but you can not hide from the truth.

    From 2008 you have been suffering sugar diease and the president went ahead to appoint a sickly person and from retirement.
    Dzonzi has sugar problem as well but he never collapsed because he is still energetic.

    Mr. IG, how did you convince the president that you can deliver despite your problem of sugar? And where were your relatives, when the President recalled you?
    And why did they not stop you right a way?

    Any way, you can be healed of disease, there is nothing impossible with God.
    Therefore, get well soon.

  105. I think something is fishy indeed. This is a newly appointed IG and this was true then he could have refused to go on board. But now after serving for a few days he has foreseen that soon Malawians will be fade up with what is going on and might resolve to something unpalatable. The reserve bank has just maintained its benchmark lending and obviously life will continue to be tough. Fraud will increase so are new cashgate moves. Go well IG. As long as you remain in Malawi we will face all the dangers together.

  106. Abale in ma credentials otani Lodi iron anali ndi degree? Heading police is intelligence not credentials

  112. Ndiye Malawi walero ameneyo, IG wainyumwa man, mavenda kuinyumwa fast, ndiye ukapeleke ma FILE and do proper Handovers, OB, File ya Bail, milandu ya Cashgate, ndiye tikudikilani mupatsana udindo wanji pakuti mukuti mukudwala tikukuonanitu!?

  113. Those who were involved in evil deeds shall for on their own swords. Jose if he has any morals left in him should follow Kanyama’s way, to resign that his health is failing him and can not undertake the stressful life of being a police man.

    This is Chasowa fighting from the grave now, soon, and am saying soon, this case will be in the court and it will be the president himself making a directive on this. Peter woyeee!!

    This is the only way for DPP to clean up its house, muli ma mafia mmenemo who must fall by the very swords they used to take away the boys life.

    1. Komaso Ali ndi JC yokha as his highest qualification akunamadi za healthzo bwanji amafuna kudzimangilira

  119. uyooooooo!!!!! wagwaaaa nayo wagwa nayo ameneyo. school ndi yofunika osati zimenezi muchititsidwa manyazi pa anthu a Malawi.

  124. Peter “Mathanyula” you’re creating a crisis at Malawi Police Service! Rodney Jose CANNOT even come close to being acting coz of his Robert Chasowa killing! So tell me now: Who is head of Malawi police NOW after Kanyama’s resignation? Wake up you sleepy president and show strategic leadership!

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