Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito has hailed the professionalism, commitment and resilience of Malawi’s uniformed officers, praising them for continuing to serve the nation despite working in genuinely tough conditions.
Mukhito: Prison Service had genuine potential to become more self-reliant
Mukhito made the remarks on Wednesday during a tour of security institutions in Nkhata Bay, where he interacted with officers from the Malawi Prison Service and Immigration Department.
While there, he also inspected marine operations following the recent acquisition of a speedboat donated by the Government of Japan, through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to the newly established Immigration Marine Unit in Nkhata Bay.
The minister acknowledged the significant challenges facing security agencies, including inadequate accommodation, transport and uniforms, and assured officers that government was working to address these long-standing problems, praising their dedication in the meantime.
“I must say I am encouraged by the commitment, professionalism and resilience of our officers in uniform, starting from the Malawi Prison Service, Immigration and Malawi Police Service.
“These people are working in very tough situations but despite that they are always on the ground to serve the nation,” Mukhito said.
He revealed that government would engage relevant ministries, including Agriculture and Local Government and Rural Development, to explore ways of supporting Malawi Prison Service initiatives, particularly farming and other commercial activities aimed at boosting self-sufficiency.
Mukhito said government believed the Prison Service had genuine potential to become more self-reliant by commercialising its products, though he stressed such initiatives would require proper support to reach their full potential.
The minister also issued a stern warning to officers against engaging in partisan politics or corrupt practices, cautioning that anyone found guilty would face serious disciplinary action, including dismissal from the service.
Nkhata Bay District Commissioner David Kayiwonanga Gondwe described the minister’s visit as a major boost for the council and security officers working in the district.
Gondwe revealed the council is in the process of establishing a new town centre at Mkomdezi, in the area of Senior Chief Mkumbira, which will provide dedicated space for security institutions including Immigration, Police and Prison Service, complete with new offices and staff housing.
In the meantime, he confirmed the council had already provided land to the Malawi Prison Service free of charge for farming and other income-generating activities, as part of efforts to ease some of the institution’s current challenges.
“Once we finalise all the processes for acquiring land for the new area, we believe these challenges of inadequate offices and staff houses will become a thing of the past,” Gondwe said.
Mukhito was accompanied on the tour by Deputy Minister Norman Chisale, Deputy Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Martha Mzomera Ngwira, and Secretary for Homeland Security Linda Moyo.
Also present were Democratic Progressive Party Northern Region Governor and Presidential Advisor on Parliamentary Affairs, Reverend Christopher Mzomera Ngwira, Nkhata Bay Central MP Symon Vuwa Kaunda, Senior Chief Nayaliwanga, Traditional Authorities Timbiri and Thula, along with senior officials from the Malawi Prison Service, Immigration Department and Malawi Police Service.
