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Government Tested by Crime: A Call for Decisive Action on Security

Malawi Freedom Network
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By Imran Jumbe – 8 March 2026

Security remains the first and most fundamental responsibility of any government. Without it, development slows, justice loses meaning, and public confidence in the state begins to erode. In recent weeks, concerns over rising crime and unresolved high-profile cases have prompted renewed criticism of the government led by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), with calls for stronger action to restore safety across the country.

Political commentator and activist Imran Jumbe has issued a strong warning to authorities, arguing that Malawi’s security system is showing dangerous weaknesses that must be urgently addressed.

Growing Concern Over Public Safety

In a recent open letter addressed to the Minister of Homeland Security, Jumbe urged the government to take immediate and practical steps to deal with what he describes as a deteriorating security environment in Malawi.

He warned that major urban areas are increasingly becoming operating grounds for criminals, including robbers, abductors, violent gangs, and killers who continue to terrorize communities.

According to Jumbe, citizens are losing confidence in the ability of the state to protect them.

“Without security, development becomes a dream and justice becomes hollow,” he said, emphasizing that the state’s primary duty is to safeguard the lives and property of its people.

Proposal to Deploy the Army

Among the measures proposed, Jumbe has suggested that the government should consider deploying the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) to assist police in protecting communities.

He argued that the country’s military resources should be used where they are most needed.

“It does not make sense for our army to be deployed guarding charcoal while ordinary citizens are left vulnerable to criminals,” he said.

Such deployment, he argued, could help reinforce policing capacity, deter organized crime, and restore public confidence in state institutions.

High-Profile Cases Raise Questions

Jumbe highlighted two high-profile criminal cases that he believes illustrate the growing weaknesses in the country’s security system.

The first is the tragic killing of Dr Bobe, who was ambushed and murdered in her own home. The case shocked the nation and raised serious questions about how such an attack could occur in what should be the safest place for any individual.

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Despite the public outcry that followed, many citizens continue to ask whether meaningful progress has been made in identifying and prosecuting those responsible.

“A home should be the safest place for any human being,” Jumbe noted. “Yet she was killed there. Where is the justice for Dr Bobe?”

The second case is the mysterious abduction of businessman Sameer Sacranie. According to Jumbe, the lack of clear updates from authorities has created anxiety and speculation among the public.

He criticized what he described as silence from the Ministry of Homeland Security regarding the investigation.

“Citizens deserve transparency. They deserve to know what progress is being made and what actions are being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.

A Wider Pattern of Crime

While the two cases have attracted national attention, Jumbe emphasized that they represent only a small part of a broader pattern of crime affecting communities across Malawi.

Many incidents, he argued, remain underreported or unresolved, leaving victims and their families without closure.

He warned that failure to address these challenges could undermine national stability and weaken public trust in government institutions.

“When citizens begin to fear their own neighbourhoods, it is a clear sign that alarm bells are ringing,” he said.

Call for Decisive Leadership

Jumbe urged the government to strengthen the country’s security strategy and adopt more decisive measures to protect the population.

He reminded authorities that the electorate expects more than political leadership—it expects effective governance and protection.

“The people voted for this government not merely to change faces in positions of power but to ensure stability and safety,” he said.

He also invoked a traditional African proverb to illustrate the urgency of the situation:

“When the fence begins to fall, the goats will soon enter the garden.”

According to him, Malawi’s “security fence” must be strengthened before the situation deteriorates further.

Restoring Public Confidence

Security experts often emphasize that public trust is one of the most important components of an effective security system. When citizens believe authorities are capable and responsive, cooperation with law enforcement increases and crime prevention becomes more effective.

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Jumbe concluded his statement by urging the government to act swiftly and decisively.

“The safety, dignity, and confidence of our people depend on it,” he said.

As debates around security intensify, many Malawians will be watching closely to see how the government responds to these growing concerns.

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