By Rahim Abdul
The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has reinforced its commitment to public safety and national security by destroying 733 illegal firearms during the commemoration of National Gun Destruction Day at the National Police Headquarters in Lilongwe.
The exercise, conducted in collaboration with the Malawi Defence Force, Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services, Malawi Prisons Service, and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, was aimed at curbing the proliferation of small arms and ensuring that such weapons never find their way into the wrong hands.
Inspector General of Police, Merlyn Yolamu, emphasized that the destruction of the firearms is part of broader efforts to safeguard peace, particularly as Malawi prepares for the 2025 general elections.
“The presence of illegal firearms poses a significant risk to public safety and can fuel violence if left unchecked. By destroying these weapons, we are protecting lives and preserving peace,” she said.
The seized firearms, collected from various districts across the country, included pistols, rifles, shotguns, and homemade weapons, many of which were surrendered voluntarily under previous amnesty campaigns, while others were confiscated during police operations.
The event was commemorated under the theme: “Reducing the Proliferation of Illegal Firearms in Malawi.”
National Gun Destruction Day, also marked internationally, is part of a global initiative to reduce armed violence and promote peace. Security experts have hailed the annual exercise as critical in preventing armed robberies, poaching, and potential election-related violence.
As the guns were reduced to scrap metal, authorities urged Malawians to continue collaborating with law enforcement agencies by reporting illegal weapons to make the country safer.
