By Suleman Chitera
The Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) has intensified pressure on law enforcement authorities to provide a public update on investigations into the abduction of Crossroads Hotel Managing Director, Sameer Sacranie, warning that continued silence is fueling fear and speculation.
HRCC Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba said it is troubling that several days have passed since the incident without a detailed briefing from the police, despite the gravity of the case and its impact on public security.
He argued that the lack of communication risks undermining public confidence in the country’s security institutions.
“When such a brazen incident occurs in a public place, the nation expects regular updates. Transparency in matters of public safety is not optional — it is essential for maintaining trust,” Mkwezalamba said.
Sacranie was abducted on February 6, 2026, at the premises of Crossroads Hotel by three unidentified men reportedly dressed in white robes. Eyewitnesses say the suspects fired two shots into the air before forcibly taking him away, an act that has unsettled both the business community and the general public.
In a recent statement, Malawi Police Service National Police Spokesperson Lael Chimtembo confirmed that investigations were launched immediately after the matter was reported. However, authorities have not since disclosed any further details regarding suspects, arrests, or investigative breakthroughs.
HRCC maintains that while certain operational aspects of investigations may remain confidential, periodic briefings are necessary to reassure citizens that progress is being made.
Security commentators have described the abduction — executed in broad daylight with gunfire — as bold and deeply concerning, raising questions about safety standards and intelligence coordination.
Mkwezalamba has called on the police to expedite their investigations and ensure that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice.
As days pass without clarity on Sacranie’s whereabouts, calls for transparency and decisive action continue to grow louder.
