Deputy Inspector General of Police Noel Kaira is facing growing criticism after his tough remarks on the Nsanje and Chikwawa mob killings triggered renewed anger over his own unresolved manslaughter case.
Kaira recently warned that police would “rain hell” on villages spreading rumours about people’s private parts disappearing — rumours that have already led to the deaths of seven people in Nsanje and Chikwawa.
Police say 64 people have been arrested over the violence.
But his comments have not gone down well with some members of the public and governance commentators, who argue that Kaira has no moral standing to lecture others about justice when he himself has allegedly escaped accountability for more than six years.
A governance commentator from the University of Malawi launched a blistering attack on Kaira, accusing him of hypocrisy and selective justice.
“Very ironical. Pushing other people’s children to the gallows, some who might be innocent, in the name of justice and accountability while evading the same justice and accountability himself,” said the commentator.
He said if Kaira believes suspects in the Nsanje killings should quickly be arrested and denied bail, then the same standard should apply to him.
“Perhaps we should also inform all the arrested suspects for the Nsanje murders to raise money and pay the families of the deceased as Mr Kaira did and get them all released from police custody,” the scholar added.
He further said Kaira “should be the last person to talk about immediate arrests and denial of bail” while allegedly avoiding court himself over the fatal shooting case.
The criticism comes at a time when pressure is mounting over the disappearance of a key CID file linked to a six-year-old shooting incident in Area 49, Lilongwe, in which Kaira has repeatedly been mentioned.
The victim, an unarmed man, was shot dead in circumstances investigators reportedly described at the time as a clear case of murder.
Despite investigations allegedly being completed years ago, the matter has never gone to court.
Sources within the Malawi Police Service say the CID file recently vanished from police records shortly after renewed calls for prosecution in the matter.
The disappearance has raised suspicions within security circles, with some officers alleging possible interference and tampering with evidence.
The case has also drawn attention to alleged political protection involving powerful figures, including former Homeland Security Minister Richard Chimwendo Banda and former Director of Public Prosecutions Steve Kayuni, although no official findings have been made public.
The governance expert accused Kaira of caring more about political relevance than justice.
“He has no respect for human life and dignity. All he cares about is being relevant and close to the prevailing political leadership for protection,” he said.
The renewed controversy is now raising fresh questions about accountability within the police service and whether the law is being applied equally to ordinary citizens and senior officials alike.
Leave a Reply