LIMITED RESOURCES AFFECT POLICE OPERATIONS

By Kenson McCloud 

Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service, George Kainja has attributed the recent security lapse in the country to lack of manpower and insufficient resources.

Kainja said this during his appearance before Public Appointments Committee of Parliament (PAC) after Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) wrote the Committee to give a vote of no confidence on the Inspector General.

Among other issues, CDEDI accused the Inspector General for failing to restore the broken relationship between the public and the police.

CDEDI also lamented over the security lapse in the country following break-ins at police stations and recent murders and abductions of high profile people.

While commending what he termed a big brother role assumed by the Civil Society Organizations in the country, Kainja assured the public that the police are on alert in trying to address the security concerns.

According to Kainja, contrary to public perceptions, crime levels have been on the decrease for the past 5 years.

However, he also appealed for more support towards resource allocation and recruitment to address the gaps which exist. 

Meanwhile, PAC Chairperson, Joyce Chitsulo, said the committee did not find the Inspector General incompetent following the meeting. 

However, she said the committee will continue engaging stakeholders to monitor the situation. 

She further said the Committee will lobby for increased allocation of resources to the Malawi Police Service in a bid to address the concerns raised by the Inspector General. 

Malawi Police Service has a man power of 12,000 officers against the recommended  32,000 and 200 vehicles against the recommended 1,600.