Kanyama resigns as Malawi Police IG: MPs trash his appointment

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

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).