As one way of curbing insecurity in the country, Kanengo Police Station in Lilongwe Thursday launched a new policing forum between the station and faith community.
The event, which drew religious leaders from various churches and mosques, commenced with a big walk by two groups, one from Kanengo to the police station and the other from Area 49 Round About to the station.
The initiative was hatched by the station’s former Officer In-Charge, Masauko Medi, who is now Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Regional).
In his key note address, Medi called for close interaction between the faith community and the Police Station to curb robbery of cash and property in religious premises.
“I urge you to establish security committees within the churches or mosques and these committees will be working closely with the police,” said Medi.
He further tipped the religious groups that when forming the committees; they should utilize their members who work in law enforcement agencies.
“Almost every officer from the Malawi Defense Force, Malawi Police Service, Immigration Department and Malawi Prison is a member of a particular church or mosque,” explained Medi. “You can incorporate these officers into the security committees for efficient delivery.”
The Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police also warned churches against disclosing amounts of money collected after special fundraising events and that the cash should either be banked right away, or should be surrendered to police for safe keeping.
“As a church, you can make special arrangements with banks and deposit your money even on Sundays,” advised Medi, adding, “Besides, banks are always open at Kamuzu International Airport throughout the week, including on Sundays.”
Chairperson for the Faith Community, Benson Kafula, described the establishment of the forum as a step in the right direction towards ending theft in prayer institutions.
“As faith forum, we have agreed to dedicated two weeks of disseminating the message to our respective congregations and we are going to work hand in hand with the police until we win the battle,” explained Kafula.
Between December 2013 and September 2014, churches within Kanengo Police Station’s jurisdiction have suffered robberies with violence.
Among the victimized churches are Dzenza CCAP, Katondo CCAP, Mvama CCAP, Area 49 Seventh Day Adventist and St. Francis Catholic Church where huge amounts of cash and property were looted.
