Mutharika announce measures to tackle growing insecurity in Malawi

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has outlined measures to tackle the growing insecurity of business and ordinary Malawians, saying his government will adequately fund Malawi Police Service and ensure the recruitment of more cops.

In his state of the nation address on opening of the 2015/16 budget meeting at Parliament on Tuesday, Mutharika said the number of Police officers would increase by 1 874 following the passing out parade of new recruits this week.

“Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government is determined to increase the number of police officers in the country. In this regard, I am pleased to inform this august House that, later this week, I will preside over the passing out parade of 1,874 police recruits, which is the biggest number of recruits in the history of the Malawi Police Service,” said Mutharika.

Critics argue that the effectiveness of policing could not be measured by the number of officers alone, but by reductions in crime and increases in public confidence.

Police officers in Malawi have recently be connected to the criminal activities including robbery.

In his address, Mutharika said in the 2015/2016 financial year, Government plans to procure an additional 100 police vehicles and build capacity in crime investigation through acquisition of appropriate equipment, training and recruitment of criminal intelligence gatherers.

Mutharika also said government will enhance border management system by providing necessary resources and tools to prevent illegal and irregular immigrants from using unchartered routes.

He also told parliament that government will commence issuance of national identity cards to all Malawians of 16 years of age and above,.

The Malawi leader informed lawmakers that government will decentralise the passport issuance system to 6 new data and documents collection points namely; Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mangochi, Salima, Mzuzu and Mzimba using post offices.

The 4th meeting in the 45th session of parliament is expected to run for nine weeks to wind up on 3rd July.

Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe is expected to present his budget statement on Friday, May 22 and he has estimated that it will be pegged at K900 billion (about $2.1 billion).

So far, only African Development Bank plans to provide the government with about K8 billion in budgetary support.

Read Mutharika full address here: State of the Nation Address