The Ministry of Homeland Security has issued a stern warning against the rising trend of civilians and political actors wearing uniforms meant for Malawi’s security forces, describing the practice as a serious threat to public safety and national security.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Minister of Homeland Security Ezekiel Peter Ching’oma expressed concern over the increasing number of individuals including members of private security companies, political party cadres, politicians, and ordinary citizens wearing attire reserved for official security institutions.
“These uniforms are strictly for the Malawi Defence Force, the Malawi Police Service, the Malawi Prison Services, and the Immigration and Citizenship Services,” the Minister emphasized.
According to the Ministry, the unauthorized wearing, selling, or possession of security force regalia not only undermines the credibility of Malawi’s official security entities but also creates dangerous loopholes that could be exploited by criminal elements to commit violent acts.
“The law prohibits any person who is not serving in security entities to wear in public, the uniforms of any part of the security entities or any dress having the appearance or bearing any of the regimental or other marks of such uniform,” reads the statement. “Other people with ill intentions will take advantage of the situation to commit violent crimes and thereby cause havoc to the communities at large.”
With immediate effect, the Ministry has directed that anyone found violating this directive will face legal action. Security agencies have also been instructed to seize any such uniforms or items being used unlawfully.
