Written by  Collings Kalivute

Police in Ntcheu has urged chiefs to take a leading role in protecting lives of persons with albinism barely a week after unknown people exhumed a body of a person with albinism in the district.

The Call was made on Wednesday at Mphepozinayi in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Ganya in Ntcheu, as Police engaged chiefs in the district to map the way forward on how they can deal with the vice the country is facing concerning people with albinism.

Director of Community Policing, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Obrey Nyirenda said it was worrisome that cases against persons with albinism are now resurfacing despite serious interventions by different stakeholders.

The meeting which was aimed at strengthening the relationship between Police and community members, brought chiefs together so that they can be conduits between their communities and the police.

“We engaged chiefs so that we can build a good working relationship with the community inorder to deal with the malpractice,” he said.

Nyirenda said: “It was very worrisome that the issues against people with albinism are now resurfacing though not at an alarming stage. That is why we decided to bring the attention of the people by engaging the chiefs so that we should be able to work together in fighting with the vice.”
He said as Police they have put a number of measures to make sure that they have intensified security in communities, mentioning of empowering and strengthening community policing in the country.

“We are determined to make sure all the Community Policing structures are being implemented and strengthened so that the security of people with albinism is guaranteed,” the Director said.

Chairperson for Association of People with Albinism in the District, Precious Kapenuka said Police should make sure that they have implemented and strengthened community policing structures in all areas in the district.

“Police should make sure that they have put in place serious community policing structures in all areas here in Ntcheu, sensitizationcampaigns should also be done accordingly here in the district before the situation gets worse,” he said.

Ntcheu Officer In Charge, Louis Chigadula condemned the incident where the body was exhumed, saying it was inhuman and needs urgent action to end the vice.

He said as Police in the district they are planning to introduce mobile courts so that community members should be able to follow and know how cases are being pursued in courts. 

”It is worrisome to note that the vice is perpetrated by relatives that is why we are calling for unity among the community members so that together we can fight the malpractice,” Chigadula said.

Minister of Gender, Disability and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati has sent some warning shots at all perpetrators of child marriages in the country that they will be arrested if nothing is done to stop the vice by November 1, this year.

The minister made the remarks in Traditional Authorities Maseya where she had an interface with the communities following brutal rape of an 11 year old girl, and Ngabu during her visit to appreciate CRECCOM’s interventions under the Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) project.

Kaliati urged chiefs, parents and guardians to make sure they take full responsibility in ending child marriages or risk being arrested. “I implore you chiefs, parents and guardians to make sure that this trend stops everywhere in your areas by November 1.

“This message is for everyone and whosoever sees this happening but chooses to remain silent or is perpetrating the vice, shall face the law,” she stated.

The minister further asked communities to stop complaining over petty issues leading to booming of child marriages and school dropout among children saying perseverance pays.

“Focus on your well being and the education of your kids no matter how big problems might be. We have people in our society who have faced it all but have survived difficulties of all times, they are now in big positions. Send all children to school, both girls and boys,” she said.

On his part, Traditional Authority Maseya said he will ensure that all perpetrators of child marriages in his area are brought to book. Chief Maseya added that parents and traditional leaders who also look at these things happening but decide not to stop them risk arrests and dethronement to protect his status.

Taking her turn, Creative Centre for Community Mobilization (CRECCOM), Executive Director, Madalo Samati said under the Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) project implemented with support from the Global Fund through Action Aid, her organization has reached out to a good number of girls under Senior Chief Ngabu with various empowerment initiatives.

“As CRECCOM we believe that for the girl child to be successful, she needs a holistic approach. Through our interventions under the AGYW project, girls have gone through financial literacy and investment skills, HIV and Aids, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Life skills and more.

“That is why you see them into tailoring, others producing juice as well as being able to bargain whenever a problem arises,” she said.

Samati said through the project, girls have been trained as peer educators so that they are able to carry over the project after phasing out this December.

Speaker of Parliament who was also guest of honour, Catherine Gotani Hara called on parents and guardians to protect their children especially girls and ensure that each and every child is sent to school.

The meetings were patronized by various senior government representatives, CSOs, Chiefs and community members.

Embattled Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) director-general Aubrey Sumbuleta who is facing allegations of sexual coercion at the  public broadcaster has been sent of forced leave by the Government.

The arrest comes hot on the heels of an inquest by Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) into alleged sexual abuse tendencies by top managers at the parastatal

Minister of Information Gospel Kazako has confirmed that Sumbuleta has been sent on forced leave following complaints lodged by some members of staff at MBC. Kazako, who once worked at MBC, said the forced leave is meant to allow smooth investigations into the allegations of sexual misconduct.

“Yes, I can confirm Sumbuleta has been  placed on leave  until the investigation into the allegations has concluded,” said Kazako.

He recently appeared before MHRC on the same. Kazako said the force leave was appropriate “given the seriousness of the allegations” of sexual misconduct. Some female workers, including Catherine Kunje are believed to have lodged complaints to  authorities, including the Ombudsman, Martha Chizuma.

The Coalition for the Empowerment of Women and Girls (CEWAG) executive director, Beatrice Mateyo said cases of sexual harassment are rampant especially in government offices including the recent allegations at MBC which need to be duly addressed.

She petitioned the office of the  ombudsman to investigate the allegations/

“We want the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the sexual misconduct allegations, so that at the end of the day the victims should receive justice and if the perpetrators are identified, they should be punished in accordance with the law,” explained Mateyo.

Mateyo said they have been assured by the Office of the Ombudsman that they will work together with  Malawi Human Rights Resources Centre (MHRRC)  to ensure that the issues are resolved accordingly.