British deputy high commissioner in Malawi, Wendy freeman whose government funded a police reform programme, told Capita Radio in Lilongwe that any misconduct by the law enforcers need to be established and those involved prosecuted.
Two cases of police brutality were highlighted in the media in the past week but many tortures in police cells go unreported as suspects suffer degrading inhuman conditions.
Zodiak Broadcasting Station reporter, Emmanuel Chibwana was nearly killed by aggressive security forces in Chilomoni Township after he expressed his opinion at a drinking joint.
The British envoy said though Her Majesty the Queen’s government no longer funds the police reform programme, it expects high levels of professionalism and integrity from the law enforces when handling suspects.
Minister of Home Affairs, Ernest Malenga insist Malawi Police tolerates no abuse.
We need to establish what really happened but the police are professional, said Malenga.
I don’t believe excessive force it’s the general conduct of the Malawi police, but it could be that some of the officers have something against suspects or they are overzealous, said Malenga.
The British government still supports the Malawi police service through UNICEF by funding the construction and operations of victim supports units across the country.
According to the British official in 2005 the afro barometer showed that public confidence in the Malawi police had increased from 41% in 1999 to 64% in 2004.
Freeman also said that other reports indicated that significant progress had been made in reforming the criminal justice system. She cited the development and implementation of a rapid response system [997] in the capital Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Blantyre, Limbe and Zomba.
The British envoy further said that new models stations now provide separate accommodation for juveniles and women among other achievements.
From 2002 to 2006 Britain provided support for police reform under the Malawi safety, security and access to justice [MASAJ] programme.–(Additional reporting by Capital FM radio)