Malawi Police work to bust criminals during festive season: 35 arrested
Malawi Police in Salima district have arrested 35 people in a sweeping exercise they conducted over the weekend as part of security measures they have planned during the forthcoming festive season.
Salima Police Public Relations Officer, Gift Chitowe says the suspect have been charged with various offences including theft of cattle, breaking into a building and committing a felony therein, operating liquor business without license, idle and disorderly and concealing birth.
Chitowe said the sweeping exercise is among strategies to safeguard lives and properties of people during the festive season.
“With the festivities approaching, the Police have put in place strategies that will safeguard lives of people. The Police officers both in civilian and uniform will continue working in collaboration with members of the general public to ensure peace is maintained,” said Chitowe.
The police have assured members of the general public that their lives and properties are safe and have also urged them to give tips that would help curb criminal activities in the communities.
Malawi has recently witness increase in crime rate which some says is partly because of the recent invalidation of the law of rogue and vagabond.
Pickpockets and purse snatchers now often loiter freely near bus stations, marketplaces, shopping centers, and restaurants.
A recent report by the United States’ Bureau of Diplomatic Security says criminal activity is more common in urban areas than rural areas.
“Neighborhood policing efforts have aided in crime prevention and reporting but have not substantially decreased criminal activity,” reads the report.
It says these incidents are often a result of public distrust and lack of confidence in the Malawi Police Services.
“Single family homes and compounds are frequent targets of property crime, and residential home invasions are not uncommon,” says the report.-additional reporting by Nyasa Times
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