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I and my family were attacked by armed criminals on the night of Tuesday, 22nd Sept 09, at 2.00 am. They broke into my house, tied me up and proceeded to ransack the house. They took everything of value - cell phones, laptops, decoders, money, jewellery etc., but in addition they physically attacked and traumatised us. I and my wife merely received some slaps, blows and arm twisting, but my workers suffered much worse.

My watchman was hacked severely with panga knives and had to fight for his survival in hospital. My domestic worker, Martin, also suffered severe gashes on his head but much worse, his 16 year old daughter was raped by a potentially HIV positive assailant.

 Sat 26th  I have just been to the Limbe Police Station to enquire why no one has yet come to take fingerprints from glass louvres that were removed and placed on the sofa in my lounge by the perpetrators. Their fingerprints are clearly visible – even to the naked eye and, to my layman’s point of view, would constitute essential evidence in the case. Indeed, one often hears of criminals being set free by the courts due to lack of evidence and now I can see how that could be attributed to police negligence in investigation.

I further asked the CID Chief, Mr. Mkuka, why the (4) CID Officers who came to my house the morning after, did not even ask me for a description of the thugs, but seemed more concerned about how much cash was taken – despite my assertion that the laptop was worth far more than any cash because it contained ten years of my work.

I then alluded to the public perception that the Police are actively colluding with criminal elements and actually share the loot! This current episode merely serves to reinforce that perception.

I finished by saying that I have thus far made no comment to all the reporters who called, but I will now call a press conference to demand justice for my workers and for the young girl whose life has been blemished forever. The Police will be invited to the meeting and given space to respond, because I believe that everyone is entitled to a fair hearing.

Mr. Mkuka admitted that fundamental procedures had not been followed and promised to take speedy corrective action, but he could not explain why the lapses had occurred. We will wait for justice, whilst praying that it will all not be in vain.

I have thus taken the liberty to register an email address, insecurity.malawi@gmail.com for everyone who wishes to share similar experiences. The data collected therefrom, will be compiled into a database, which will serve as a powerful tool in the campaign to galvanise the state into discharging its bounden duty to provide security to all the people in Malawi.

But I weep for all those in Ndirande, Soche, Bangwe, Thandire, Biwi, Kawale etc. who have suffered worse trauma and continue to endure in mute misery because their voices are never heard. Their pathetic plight is unacceptable… and we must do whatever we can to relieve their agony. It is high time that we call such state agencies to account, otherwise the carnage will continue unabated. Your support is desperately needed to achieve the requisite critical mass….can we count on you?

ADDENDUM

Wednesday, 7th October 2009
There has been no further communication from the Police…they appear to have taken refuge in the tomb-like silence that passes for the norm as a knee jerk defence mechanism in monolithic institutions that have a lot to hide and/or cannot justify their actions.

Nevertheless, we have been pursuing our own lines of enquiry and are getting far more feedback that may eventually lead us to the criminals or, at the very least, result in the recovery of some stolen items.

Whatever the case may be, one thing is certain, we will not stop pursuing this matter until justice is seen to be done…regardless of the impediments that may be strewn in our path.

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