Luhanga’s Roadblock Pledge: Reform or Routine Rhetoric?

Newly appointed Inspector General of Police Richard Luhanga has promised to reduce the number of roadblocks across Malawi—a move he says will ease travel frustrations, improve efficiency, and curb corruption. But while the pledge has drawn early public approval, analysts are questioning whether it marks genuine reform or simply another short-lived attempt to appear responsive.

Speaking during his first management meeting at Police Headquarters in Lilongwe, Luhanga said the police service would “streamline” roadblocks nationwide to enhance operational efficiency and reduce public inconvenience. He also urged officers to demonstrate teamwork, discipline, and adherence to uniform policy, warning that the image of the Malawi Police Service depended on professionalism and integrity.

However, security experts say the announcement, though welcome, does little to address the deeper issues undermining the police. Security analyst Sheriff Kaisi observed that while fewer roadblocks may mean fewer delays for motorists, corruption within the police force will not disappear simply because there are fewer checkpoints.

“The problem isn’t the number of roadblocks—it’s the system. Without strict oversight, better accountability, and improved welfare for officers, corruption will simply shift elsewhere,” Kaisi said.

Public sentiment has long turned against excessive police roadblocks, which are often viewed as toll points for informal payments rather than tools for safety. Successive police chiefs have made similar pledges to reform operations, but most failed to sustain the momentum once public attention faded.

Luhanga, who replaced Merlyne Yolamu last week after his appointment by President Peter Mutharika, now faces the challenge of proving that his promise is more than public relations. His ability to translate words into measurable change—through operational audits, digital monitoring, and stronger disciplinary systems—will determine whether this pledge marks the beginning of meaningful police reform or yet another cycle of rhetoric dressed as reform.

For now, motorists will wait to see if the next roadblock they encounter is a rare sight—or just another checkpoint on the road to broken promises.

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