Transfers not enough! Chimwendo must do better on corrupt police officers
A decision by the Malawi Police Service (MPS) to transfer eight police officers from Zomba and Mangochi districts to general duties for soliciting bribes whilst they worked in the criminal investigation and road traffic departments has not amused some citizens.
According to a communique signed by MPS service administration officer, KD Mulezo, seen by Nyasa Times, Patrick Pakundikana, Evelesi Chikanga, Shakira Chifisi and Nangwale based in Zomba as well as Kamfoloma and Chrissy Tengema based in Mangochi have been moved from the department of Road Traffic Directorate and Safety Services (RTDSS) to general duties.
Further, the communique adds, Billy Chibwe, and Officer Njolomole both based in Mangochi have also been moved from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to general duties—also for taking bribes from clients.
For those that served at the RTDSS department an order has been issued that they surrender their uniforms.
Officers booted out of the traffic department have been advised to surrender their uniforms.
Nyasa Times has learnt that the development comes following an outcry from the general public that some police officers were demanding money from clients, especially taxi drivers, for “route buying” within the concerned districts.
MPS spokesman, James Kadadzera, has since reprimanded the moved officers saying the mandate of the service was to serve.
But distinguished law professor at the University of Malawi, Chancellor College, Edge Kanyongolo, on reacting to the news simply wondered: “Transfer as punishment for crime?”
And, James Chavula, one of the senior editors at Nation Publications Limited (NPL), took to his Facebook page and lamented at how the law enforcement agency smiled at its corrupt workers.
“Transferring the problem from one department to another is just what it is—appeasement, not a deterrent punishment for the bribery that the security agency seems to tolerate guns down,” wrote Chavula.
He added: “The fact that transfers from the C.I.D and traffic departments are seen as a punishment in itself amplifies the fear that bribery, also sanitized as kickbacks, have made these vital departments so lucrative that those kicked out have to wear sackcloth and roll in hot ash in atonement.”
The multi award-winning journalist wished Minister of Homeland Security, Richard Chimwendo Banda, did better on getting rid of the rot in his camp.
“This is a good example of how not to fight a culture of kickbacks in a police service widely perceived as the most corrupt State agency by the people it is supposed to serve,” wrote Chavula.
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Me i want to be poliice officer too
I like the job ..
But all law enforcers must follow rules to transfer them before they make mistake
Because they have experience already for WHAT they are doing ..to their position..
Ndine mmalawi ..nzika ndithu 002782037569
We call for our beloved Martha Chizuma to move in quickly, we can’t have corrupt officers transferred instead of being fired, investigated and prosecuted.
Ministry of security Mr Banda must do something on this, we are not happy with this 😡😡😡😡
So strange, being moved from Traffic to General Duties is not demotion, is just reverting. We can end corruption in this way, why not arresting them?
Is there anybody with the evidence that they received kickbacks, Otherwise doing more depends on that not on heresy. This is where corruption fight becomes a problem. There must be documentary evidence to prosecute them or to fire them from work not mere social media revelation. If its fraud its easy to fight e.g. if someone has receipts of MK2m and he banks MK1m. It is easy to follow that MK1m has been misappropriated. Nut if one receives bribes. What is the document? obviuosly none. But with fraud you can check recepts and bank statements and deposit slips to reconcile… Read more »
Transferring corrupt police officers to other departments is wrong! We are not going to clean up the rabble that way.
The many police that stand around road blocks are not necessary or needed.
What kind of security do we get from so many road checks?
Corrupt officials should not be transferred but be fired. Fired regardless of rank,tribe or creed. That way sanity will come back to work places and society.
This article demonstrates that Malawi civil service is corrupt in most of its levels . Just imagine that the law enforce arm of government is labelled as one of the most corrupt institutions. The practice of state resources abuse via corrupt activities , theft etc shall be history as this battle is handed to the Lord, our God for divine solutions. Praying that Malawi as a nation move towards God who has answers for any situation. Amen.
O Chimwendo nverani izo anthu akunena njoka soweta. Fisi ndi fisi mngakhale atachoka theno ku thengo lina kupita lina amakhalabe fisi. Nkhani yayikulu ndikuti a bwana Chakwera ndi a Chilima achiwiri awo akufuna kuthetsa katangale. Anthu mwapanga transferwa anachita zimene boma silikufuna. Chonde atsegulireni milandu ngati umboni ulipo osati kuwasintha. Vuto lilipo ndilolembana pa chibale mchifukwa zikuvutani kuthetsa katangale ku police.
the whole police service needs an overhaul because promotions now with Kainja are based on nepositism. Kainja is only promoting those from central region and girlfriends. search me. And for one to go for peace keeping you have to give bribes or ladies have to open their legs to bosses. You will notice that those going for peace keeping are pretty girls and if you find somebody ugly its either she is a relation to the boss or paid a hefty bribe. The way people are promoted in the Malawi police service is very irregular and if you dont have… Read more »