By Burnett Munthali
The involvement of untrained individuals as security personnel for political parties has become a topic of concern among retired soldiers in Malawi. During a discussion on the Retired Soldiers’ platform today, Retired Corporal Chiphwanya raised alarms about the dangers posed by the practice. He argued that hiring untrained bouncers to provide security for political parties is a direct threat to national stability.
According to Chiphwanya, bouncers employed by political parties lack the discipline and training required for security roles. This deficiency often results in harassment of innocent citizens and creates an environment where these individuals operate without limits or accountability.
“When political parties rely on bouncers for security, it becomes a recipe for security breakdown. These individuals, chosen for their physical strength, lack the training and ethics needed to maintain order. This approach is dangerous for peace-loving Malawians,” Chiphwanya said.
Chiphwanya emphasized that security for political parties must be regulated by the government. He advocated for teams consisting of individuals with professional training in police, prison, or military institutions.
“Security personnel must have a background in recognized security organizations. Simply picking individuals based on their physical appearance or weightlifting capabilities is not only unprofessional but also a threat to public safety,” he added.”
Retired Corporal Dimba echoed similar concerns, criticizing the emergence of “military wings” within political parties. He argued that such practices undermine national unity and create conditions for violence.
“Why should political parties in a poor country like Malawi have military wings? This is an unfortunate trend that must be stopped. Peace-loving Malawians should reject this outright,” Dimba said.
The discussion highlighted the need for retired security experts to advise the government on maintaining neutrality in security matters, especially during election periods.
“Through our platform’s leadership, we should issue a statement addressing the security situation during this election period. The mushrooming of political military wings is a serious concern that must be addressed to prevent future chaos,” Dimba proposed.
The retired soldiers also raised concerns about the capture of security leaders by politicians. This politicization, they argued, has weakened the integrity of Malawi’s security apparatus.
“This means our security leaders are no longer neutral but serve political interests. This is a dangerous precedent that undermines national security,” Dimba remarked.
The retired soldiers warned that the current trend of politicized security forces poses long-term risks for Malawi. They urged the government and political parties to prioritize professionalism and neutrality in security matters.
“Political parties must stop employing untrained individuals as security personnel. Such practices are a ticking time bomb for our country,” Chiphwanya concluded.
In conclusion, as Malawi prepares for the 2025 elections, the concerns raised by retired soldiers highlight the urgent need for professional and government-regulated security forces. Political parties must abandon the use of untrained bouncers and work towards ensuring a peaceful and secure environment for all Malawians.
Peace-loving citizens and retired security experts alike have called for immediate action to address these issues, urging the government to take a firm stand against the politicization of security forces.
