Concerns about public safety are growing as the country draws near to its general elections this year with the public security enforcers, Malawi Police being questioned of their professionality and integrity when executing their duties mostly in the recent demonstrations held by different groups in various regions of Malawi.
Through these demonstrations, it was observed that political affiliated thugs in masks would undistubingly incite violence, attacking demonstrators with panga knives and other offensive weapons in the presence of the Malawi Police officers who wouldn’t intervene or restore order to the point of the demonstrators being injured or giving up on the planned demonstrations.
An instance of such occurrence was the demonstrations held by civil servants in Lilongwe this year in March. Concerned civil servants gathered at Memorial Tower, Area 18 to start off their demonstrations and march to the August house to deliver their petition which was asking the government to increase their salaries and allowances by atleast 50%.
Unfortunately before they could start marching a group of thugs wearing masks and armed with panga knives, wooden clubs and hoe handlers emerged from Botanic Gardens side and start attacking the civil servants hacking some of them while others run off. All of this happened in the presence of the police who were supposed to ensure the demonstrations are peaceful and the safety of the people.
Amidst these growing public insecurity, public fear is also on the rise following a noticeable increase in the possession of Illegal firearms in many parts of Malawi. Reports from police indicate that from 2024 to this date, there have been an increase in cases involving illegal possession of firearms.
According to reports, a counted total of more than 14 individuals were arrested from last year to this date for being found in possession and usage of illegal firearms. These firearms include; Revolvers, Assault Riffles, Star Pistol Calibers, MK 4.303 and Muzzle Loaders with live and used ammunition. These individuals committed several crimes such as murder, theft, armed robbery, burglary, rape, arson and breaching public peace.
Questions are now being raised on how these perpetrators acquire the firearms along with the live ammunition but also get to be using them long enough before being apprehended.
According to the Malawi Police, most illegal firearms in the country are smuggled in by asylum seekers, refugees and illegal immigrants from various countries such as South Africa, Burundi, Mozambique and Rwanda.
Mikozi reporter spoke to one truck driver who transports goods especially wood logs and timber from and to Mozambique plus South Africa and he explained how guns are smuggled into Malawi.
“Personally, whilst working as a truck driver, i have smuggled guns into Malawi from South Africa & Mozambique. It is quiet easy when the guns have wooden holsters/handlers like for example muzzle loader and AK 47 because then we simply dismantle them and pack them into the wood logs/timber being transported and it fits perfectly.
As for the guns with all steel components, we try to paint them so that they look like the wood logs/timber. Ofcourse, we have to bribe few boarder patrol officers at times but it is much easier at Malawian boarder posts than elsewhere”, explained the driver.
Inorder to assess and gain assurance of the safety of the public, the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Security called upon the Inspector General of Police, Merlyn Yolamu to answer questions regarding her professionality in executing her duties and to to question whether her royalty is to serve those who placed her into power ( Political party influence/affiliate).
Although the police chief insisted that since being elected into the position, she has never received orders from the president and that she is working professionally rather than politically influenced, the Committee warned the IG to be independent and realize that political parties in power come and go.
As it stands, it is uncertain of how safe the public is now than ever as we draw close to official campaign period but most importantly the voting month and the post elections period which is very crucial aswell.
As seen before in the 2019 tripartite elections, the post election period constituted of continuous nationwide protests against the results whereby Dpp’s Peter Muntharika was declared the winner. The protests also were against Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jane Ansah who was allegedly said to have played a hand in rigging of the elections results.
The issue was resolved through the Constitution Court after a series of violent protests that required the intervention of the Malawi Military Soldiers. The court nullified the results of the elections due to several irregularities and the nation had to re-vote.
As it stands now, the opposition parties are already complaining of the elected Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson because of her family roots which trace to honorable John Tembo, the former President of the Malawi Congress Party.
To add on, complains had also been raised on the legitimacy of the MEC’s Election Management Devices(EMD)which is to be used to aid MEC in say counting the votes.
However, MEC dismissed the allegations that the Chairperson was elected to play a role in rigging the elections in favor of the ruling party and that the EMDs where purchased to rig the votes in favor of the ruling party. MEC assured the public of free, open, fair and objective elections.
All in all, there concerns that over the rise of individuals in possession of illegal guns. Security expert, Master Mfune raised a warning that with the elections approaching, politicians may exploit these individuals as seen in the past, potentially fueling violence if the authorities do not act swify.