By Jones Gadama
Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito has sent a clear message to the Malawi Police Service and to motorists across the country: roadblocks exist to protect lives and property, not to be used as points for soliciting money.
Speaking in an interview with this publication Mukhito acknowledged public frustration over allegations of corruption and unprofessional conduct by some officers at roadblocks. He said the practice of turning security checkpoints into avenues for personal gain undermines the very purpose of the Malawi Police Service and erodes public trust.
According to the Minister, roadblocks remain a critical national security tool. Their mandate is to prevent crime, intercept suspects, recover stolen goods, and enforce traffic regulations. That mandate, he stressed, does not include collecting money for individual benefit.
Mukhito laid out a firm stance on accountability. He said any officer found demanding or receiving bribes will face both disciplinary action and possible criminal prosecution. He also noted that police officers are expected to live within their lawful income.
Where there are reasonable suspicions that an officer is living beyond their means, he said, investigations will be instituted through proper legal channels.
On administrative matters, the Minister clarified that transfers are not meant to shield officers from accountability. He explained that transfers are routine management decisions, and they do not replace the need for disciplinary or criminal processes where misconduct is alleged.
He further stated that while police officers, like other public servants, have the right to own businesses and property, any evidence linking assets to corruption or abuse of office will be investigated.
Dismissing claims that traffic police deliberately mount roadblocks to raise revenue, Mukhito reiterated that the role of the police is to enforce the law, promote road safety, and save lives. Revenue generation, he said, is not and will never be part of police work.
The Minister’s remarks have drawn wide commendation. Many Malawians say they have not seen a Homeland Security Minister take such a direct and public position on police conduct in recent memory. There is a growing view that under Mukhito’s leadership, the issues of theft, extortion, and misconduct at roadblocks could finally become a thing of the past.
Citizens are crediting President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika for the appointment, describing it as a decisive step toward restoring professionalism, transparency, and accountability in the security sector.
Mukhito closed by appealing for renewed public confidence, pledging to strengthen discipline within the service and to ensure that the law is applied without fear or favor.
The test, as many Malawians note, will be what happens next at roadblocks across the country.
With this clear directive from the Ministry of Homeland Security, expectations are high that security will be delivered with integrity, and that the badge will once again represent protection, not pressure.
