CDEDI engages Ombudsman over IG’s nepotism accusations

The Centre for Democracy and Development Initiatives [CDEDI] has requested the office of the Ombudsman to investigate accusations of nepotism at the Malawi Police Service (MPS).

In a letter signed by its Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa, dated 18 October 2020, addressed to Ombudsman Grace Malera, CDEDI says it has established that Inspector General Dr. George Kainja is practicing nepotism in the promotion of officers in senior positions.

According to the letter, Dr. Kainja has been promoting only officers from the central and northern regions into the Police High Command.

“CDEDI has established that there no officer from the southern region districts in the current Police High Command,” the letter reads.

According to CDEDI, since the appointment of Dr. Kainja last year, police officers from the southern region are also not being given a chance to head a directorate or a department within the service.

CDEDI says the current situation in the Police High Command is contrary to how the service was set up prior to the appointment of Dr. Kainja.

CDEDI also says it has also established that the IG sits on the interviewing panel for the Police Service Commission, for the recruitment of officers into the Police High Command, and that the IG makes recommendations to the commission, to base their decisions on.

Earlier this month, MPS Public Relations Officer, James Kadadzera, described the accusations of nepotism in the service as false saying region and district of origin is not a criterion for promotion of police officers.

Current Police High Command

The following is the list CDEDI has in its position:

1. The Inspector General of Police: Dr- George Kainja, from Ntchisi;

2.Tbe Deputy Inspector General of Police Operations: Demster
Chigwenembe, from Ntcheu;
3. The DepuSr Inspector General of Police – Administration: Merlyne
Yolamu, from Mchinji;
4. Commissioner for Central East Region: Arlene Baluwa, from Lilongwe;
5. Commissioner for Research and Planning: Sekani Tembo, from
Mzirnba;
6. Commissioner for Human Resource Management: Stan Kaliza, from
Ntcheu;
7. Commissioner for south west Region: Ellobiam Banda, from
Kasungu;
8. Commissioner for centra]west: Peter Chasweka, from Mchinji;
g. commissioner for south East: chikondi chingadza, from Dedza;
10. Commissioner for Eastern Region: Happy Mkandawire, from
Mzirnba;
11. Commissioner North: Richard Luhanga, from Rumphi;
12. Director of Finance: Lenford Kamphika, from Lilongwe

Previous Police High Command

List of the Police High Command, from the previous administration, prior to the appointment of Dr. Kainja

1. The Inspector General of Police: Rodney Jose, ftom Zomba;
2. Tlne Deputy Inspector General – Operations: John Nyondo, from
Karonga;
3. The Deputy Inspector General – Administration: Duncan Mwapatsa,
f.rom ChiradztsTu;
4. The Commissioner for Research and Planning: Dr. George Katnja,
from Ntchisi;
5. Commissioner South: Silage Yusuf, from Zomba;
6. ZombaCollege Commandant Demster chigwenembe, from Ntcheu;
7. Director of community Policing: Merlyne Yolamu, from Mchinji;
8. Comrnissioner for Eastern Region: Arlene Baluwa, from Lilongwe;
9. Commlssioner for Centrai Region: Innocent Botomani, from Mulanje;
10. Commissioner North: Huldin Mlotha, from Mzimba;
11. Commissioner for Human Resource: Joseph Chambaluka, from
Ba-la-ka;
12. Director of Finance: Tiadius Samveka, from Dowa;