DMI St John's the Baptist University Requests Police Post to Address Robbery Cases
GVH Steven, who hosts the university in the area of Senior Chief Chimwala, commended the police for their commitment to addressing the issue.
Mangochi, Malawi - The Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI) St John's the Baptist University has called upon the Mangochi police authorities to establish a police post at its Mangochi campus, writes Francis Polinyu Banda.
This request comes in response to an increase in robbery cases targeting students at the institution.
During a meeting organized by the police on Monday, December 18, Deputy Vice Chancellor for the university, Dr. Benedicto Okoma Atani Malunga, made the request.
The meeting brought together university administration, local leaders, and off-campus hostel business owners to find a lasting solution to the issue.
Malunga emphasized the need for a police post near the campus to enhance security in the area, particularly for students who have become the primary targets of robbers seeking to steal their electronic gadgets.
He urged all concerned parties, including students themselves, to play their part in safeguarding their property.
This includes securing their hostels and avoiding unnecessary movements at night.
"We are asking the police to establish a unit here at the campus. It is our belief that this will ensure that there is enough security in the area which has been infested by robbers," said Malunga.
Malunga also pleaded with bar owners in the vicinity to adhere to their allocated time limits, as some of them operate beyond their permitted hours during the night. This situation provides a hiding place for robbers.
During the meeting, Assistant Commissioner Phillip Dinala, the Station Officer for Mangochi Police, called for collaboration between the university community and the police to enhance security in the area.
Dinala commended the university's management for raising security concerns and assured them of continued engagement to improve security in the area.
"Security is paramount to the development of communities and Malawi as a country since investors prefer secured areas for their investments. Security matters should not be left in the hands of Police alone, but members of the community should play their part too," Dinala emphasized.
However, the police warned the university's management against interfering with investigations if the offender is identified as one of their own students.
Additionally, Dinala cautioned against mob justice, citing a recent incident where a security guard outside the hostels was assaulted to death by an angry mob due to mistaken identity while chasing a thief.
Confirming the situation, Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi, the Mangochi police Public Relations Officer, stated that over the past three months, students residing in off-campus hostels have been targeted and attacked by unknown assailants.
The assailants have stolen various items, including laptops, cellphones, and other valuables.
Inspector Daudi highlighted a specific incident from last month, where a student named Sphiwe Ngwata, 22, was attacked at around 9:00 PM while returning from accompanying a friend.
She was robbed of an iPhone 11 worth K880,000 after the robbers cut her left palm with a panga knife.
GVH Steven, who hosts the university in the area of Senior Chief Chimwala, commended the police for their commitment to addressing the issue.
He also pointed out that a lack of communication between students and hostel owners has contributed to the increase in criminal activities.
After hearing the grievances from all parties, Commissioner Dinala pledged to revamp community policing forums, conduct intensive joint patrols between the police and members of the community, apprehend bar owners who violate their licenses, and establish a Police Listening Unit to prevent criminal activities.