Security lapse hits Malawi Posts Corp. premises again: Eight offices ransacked
Barely a week after thieves broke into and stole a professional still camera and computer monitor and other office equipment from the offices of the local NGO Centre for Economic and Social Transformation (CEST) at the Malawi Posts and Corporation (MPC) premises, misfortune struck again on the wee hours of Tuesday when eight offices were broken into by robbers who ransacked computers and other office equipment from the offices.
According to the officials of the security company manning the premises, UK Security Services, the thieves who were about 20 stormed the premises which are apposite Museums of Malawi around 3 a.m and tied the two security guards – who were making rounds – with ropes and sealed their mouths before they start breaking the doors to force themselves into the offices.
One of the guards said efforts to alert his counterparts who were at the main entrance proved futile as they were too far to be reached by a scream he made before they got hold of him.
The offices that have been ransacked include CEST offices which house the Big Issue magazine offices, local NGO Nkhomano, Wisdom Construction Company and Eagles Insurance Company.
Several police officers stormed the ransacked premises earlier in the day at intervals making assurances that they will do what it takes to catch the robbers.
“We can’t say how we’re going to do this because investigations are still under way but be assured we will catch them,” said one police officer.
This is the fifth burglary incident within four months at the premises. In March, offices belonging to a local NGO, Centre for Alternatives for Victimized and Children (CAWVOC), were broken into and thieves went away with a computer and footballs. A month later thieves hit offices of an insurance company, Eagles, twice within a space of two weeks, getting away with computers and other office equipment.
Angry tenants told Nyasa Times that this is baffling as the burglaries are happening in the presence of security guards who man the place day and night.
The tenants said although the MPC authorities have replaced Safe Guard security guards, after series of robberies that characters their time and replaced them with UK security guards nothing is changing and some are considering just quitting the premises.
