By Rahim Abdul
Mangochi Police have warned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands, saying perpetrators of mob justice and other acts of violence will be arrested and prosecuted.
Mangochi Police Station Officer-in-Charge, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ulemu Kalua, made the warning on Tuesday during a press briefing with journalists from various media houses at Mangochi Police Station.
Kalua said the warning follows the recent conviction and sentencing of seven family members to three years’ imprisonment with hard labour each for vandalising Chilipa Police Unit.
He said police will not allow people involved in mob justice and related acts of violence to escape justice simply because they committed the offences as part of a crowd.
“People are usually carried away by the crowd, thinking that the police will never identify them. But they should know that after the crowd disperses, we begin investigations and arrest those involved one by one from their homes and communities,” said Kalua.
According to Kalua, mob justice can put innocent lives at risk, lead to the destruction of property and result in innocent people being wrongly accused, injured or killed.
He further warned that mob violence can also jeopardise crucial evidence that would otherwise assist police investigations and prosecutions.
Kalua said perpetrators may also end up facing harsher punishment for violence and destruction of property than they would have faced for the original offence that triggered the mob action.
He has since called on traditional leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders to work with law enforcement agencies in educating communities about the dangers and legal consequences of mob justice.
Kalua said Mangochi Police, through its Public Relations Office and Community Policing Branch, is already conducting awareness campaigns in communities to discourage people from taking the law into their own hands.
He urged people in Mangochi and beyond to report suspected crimes and grievances to the police or other relevant authorities instead of resorting to violence.
“People should allow the law to take its course. If there is a dispute or a suspected criminal offence, the right thing is to report it to the relevant authorities,” Kalua said.
The police warning comes as law enforcement agencies continue to face the challenge of mob justice in communities, with authorities repeatedly urging members of the public to rely on established legal channels to resolve disputes and deal with suspected offenders.
