By Dhumisani Khumalo
Mzuzu, April 16, Mana: Mzuzu Police Station says it has registered a decline in overall crime and traffic incidents in the first quarter of 2025 as compared to a similar period in 2024.
According to Deputy Public Relations Officer for Mzuzu Police Station, Cecilia Mfune crime has decreased by 6.4 percent with 367 cases recorded in 2025 against 692 in 2024.
Mfune said that breaking and burglary cases have dropped by 39 percent from 98 cases last year to 60 in the current reporting period.
She attributed the achievement to increased police patrols and enhanced community involvement in promoting safety and security in the city.
"The police patrols promoted police visibility hence making it easier for them to apprehend suspected offenders and deter other suspected criminals from committing offences, since we were always on the ground.
On community engagement, we worked closely with local leaders in crime reporting, which improved trust and communication between law enforcers and residents within the city,” said Mfune.
She also hinted on improvements in the judicial system saying that most cases were promptly presented in court and adjudicated adding that the development also contributed to efficiency and strengthened public trust in law enforcement system.
Mfune however, expressed concern over an increase in sexual offences saying cases involving sexual intercourse with girl children rose from 16 in 2024 to 19 in 2025 within a similar period.
“Underreporting and efforts to resolve such matters within families of the suspects and survivors continue to exacerbate the vice, hence, we advise people to be reporting all cases of rape and sexual abuse to police, rather than handling them as private family matters,” said Mfune.
Murder cases saw a slight increase from four in 2024 to five in 2025, with police identifying mob justice as a growing concern.
She said that most of the murder cases emanated from mob justice and urged the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
In contrast, road safety has improved markedly, with traffic accidents decreasing from 51 in 2024 to 26 in 2025.
