By Rahim Abdul
In Parliament on Wednesday, Dedza Kasina Member of Parliament (MP) Joshua Malango of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) made a passionate appeal to the newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Richard Luhanga, urging him to execute his duties without fear or favor.
Malango’s remarks came during a heated parliamentary session where lawmakers were debating the confirmation of Luhanga as the new head of the Malawi Police Service.
The debate saw strong emotions as MPs from both the ruling and opposition sides voiced their opinions on the leadership and direction of the police force.
In his statement, Malango emphasized the importance of neutrality, reminding the incoming police chief that his role is to serve all Malawians regardless of political affiliation.
“Do not look at which party one belongs to; look at justice and the law,” he said.
He also called on Luhanga to be guided by God and the Constitution, saying that leadership in security institutions requires integrity, wisdom and respect for divine authority.
“Work with the fear of God and respect for court decisions,” Malango urged.
Malango further condemned the re-arrest of individuals who have already been granted bail, saying such actions undermine the rule of law and violate citizens’ rights.
He stressed that respecting court rulings is essential for maintaining public trust in law enforcement.
“If the court has released someone on bail, it is wrong to re-arrest them without new charges.Doing so shows contempt for the judiciary and weakens our democracy,”he explained.
The parliamentary session briefly turned dramatic when some lawmakers, particularly from the opposition benches, heckled and shouted comments like “What about Norman Chisale?”a reference to a controversial former presidential aide who has faced multiple court cases.
Despite the uproar, Malango maintained his composure and insisted that his message was about justice, not politics.
He clarified that his appeal was directed toward ensuring professionalism in the police service, not defending any individual.
Parliament later confirmed Richard Luhanga as the new Inspector General of Police, succeeding Merlyn Yolamu, who served in the position before him.
Luhanga’s appointment was supported by the majority of MPs, signaling cross party approval for his leadership.
In his acceptance remarks, Luhanga promised to restore public confidence in the police by enforcing discipline, professionalism and impartiality across all ranks.
He assured the nation that the police will respect human rights and uphold the Constitution at all times.
