Charles Dokera, who is a Lawyer, has called on the Malawi Police Service to investigate allegations that officers at Chisinga Police Unit extorted money from traders and tobacco farmers by threatening them with criminal charges.
In a letter addressed to the Officer-in-Charge of Chisinga Police Unit and copied to the Central East Region Police Commissioner, Dokera also requested the recovery and return of any money allegedly obtained from the victims.
He alleges that the officers used their authority, uniforms and firearms to intimidate traders and farmers transporting tobacco, demanding payments ranging from K300,000 to K1 million before allowing them to proceed.
Dokera named three officers ; Mr Kuwani, Mr Chikafa and Mr Baison, as being allegedly involved and called for an urgent investigation into their conduct.
According to the letter, one victim, Nyezani Jere, allegedly paid K300,000 after being threatened with a rape charge. Dokera claims the money was later refunded following his intervention.
He further alleges that on July 6, James Mhlanga and several others transporting tobacco were forced to pay K500,000 before being released, while on July 12, Allan Banda of Kamtuwale Trading Centre allegedly paid K1 million after being stopped at Mazinyani Village.
“We are not defending any crimes the victims may have committed. Our concern is whether the police officers acted within the law,” Dokera wrote.
He has since asked the Malawi Police Service to investigate the claims, refund any unlawfully obtained money and take disciplinary action against any officers found culpable.
Dokera also gave the police 48 hours to act before escalating the matter to higher authorities.
Central East Region Police spokesperson Esther Mkwanda said she could not comment on the allegations as she had not yet received the letter.
