By Steve Chirombo

Dedza, March 8, Mana: Director of Community Policing and Police Units, Jaqueline Kainja has asked security agencies to collaborate and build a society where people can easily access justice when their rights are violated. 

Kainja made the request on Friday during a day-long capacity building orientation on access to justice for Victim Support Unit (VCU) for police officers, and members of Malawi Prison services in Dedza.

She appealed to VSU officers and all concerned partners to be providing effective justice for victims in line with the country’s laws.

Kainja said: “Justice is not a privilege but a right. This is why we are expecting officers to improve their performance after this training. We believe they have gained knowledge and create some work relationships. They will now be able to handle some cases professionally.” 

Director of civil and political rights from Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Peter Chisi said some people fail to understand where to lodge their complains.

“MHRC realizes the importance of working together. This is why we are empowering the Malawi Police and Prison Services officers and other stakeholders to enlighten them on their roles.”

In her remarks after the training, one of the participants from Mtakataka police post Temwanani Malenga expressed satisfaction with the training saying it has helped them understand how they can discharge they duties competently.

“We have been reminded on the roles of the Ministry of Justice, Legal Aid Bureau, MHRC, Office of the Ombudsman, Judiciary, Malawi Prison services and the police as our roles are interrelated and it is very important for us to know them properly,” said Malenga.

The orientation was done with funds from the European Union (EU) under Chilungamo project.