By Vincent Gunde
Security journalist Ephraim Mkali Band says the police’s main duty is to protect public safety saying the police could have investigated the incident which happened in Lilongwe on Wedneday, 13th November, 2024.
Opposition political party supporters gathered at the Lilongwe Community Centre ground in readiness to start off their journey via Mchesi road to Kamuzu Central Hospital Roundabout to the Parliament Building up to Mec head offices to deliver their petition ad thereafter, to start vigils.
While the marchers were waiting for their leaders to give them direction, suspected MCP panga wielding thugs came at the Lilongwe Community Centre ground and started beating up people and the situation was very tense prompting the Police to fire teargas cannisters to disperse the angry crowd.
The beating of innocent people by MCP thugs was made with the police just looking at the situation making one to wonder and make a quick conclusion that these thugs are being sponsored with money to do the evil acts for the benefit of the MCP and president Dr. Lazarus Chakwera
Writing in a statement dated 14th November, 2024 Mkali Banda said he is concerned by the National Police Public Relations Officer’s statement that the police will not look into the incident in Lilongwe just because there is no formal complaint made.
Mkali Bnda has argued that by waiting for someone to file a complaint, the police risk delaying justice and possibly putting others into trouble as their will be revenge against many revenges leading to escalation of violence not only in Lilongwe but elsewhere.
“Starting an investigation immediately would show a strong commitment to keeping the public safe,” reads the statement in part.
Mkali Banda said acting quickly is such cases as Lilongwe incident is important for building trust with the public and showing that the police are dedicated to their role in protecting the citizens and the community.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Elizabeth Sankhulani of Mitundu in Lilongwe, has called for the country’s laws to be revisited, reviewed and amended so that Malawi Police and Malawi Defense Force not to be in the armpits of the political party in government.
Sankhulani said the suspected thugs in possession of dangerous weapons in full view of the police officers is a clear testimony that Malawi laws of protecting public safety, are on the paper to please the donors and the international community that the country’s leaders are servant ones.
She said had it been that Malawi had an independent Police, all MCP thugs would have by now been arrested and prosecuted in a court of law but none was arrested and all the thugs are free and untouchables only enjoying the immunity as that of the President.
“Politicians in government are above the law in Malawi, MPS, MDF and all other security agencies are captured, their leaders have joined bandwagons of praising for nonsense,” she said.
