By Witness Chipwere:
The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has recorded a 38 percent increase in defilement cases in the first three months of this year compared to the same period last year.
Police figures show that 344 cases were recorded from January to March in 2024, while 476 cases were recorded in the same period this year.
National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya said the rise in cases suggests that more people are now reporting incidents due to increased public awareness campaigns and community engagement.
Kalaya explained that collaboration with stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local leaders, has created a supportive environment for survivors to report incidents.
“We have been engaging community members to report any suspected cases of defilement to the nearest police stations. As a result, people have been coming forward.
“We work hand in hand with various stakeholders such as the Ministry of Gender and other NGOs. We also have a community policing branch and listening radio clubs,” Kalaya said.
Security expert Aubrey Kabisala, a lecturer at Mzuzu University, said there is a need for a proper research study on the factors driving the rise in defilement cases.
Kabisala added that, for example, Malawi has stiffer laws against perpetrators of defilement, which should act as a deterrent, yet the cases continue to increase.
“It might be linked to certain beliefs, as some people believe that engaging in such acts could heal them of specific diseases or bring them luck due to traditional beliefs. It is high time a more in-depth study was conducted,” Kabisala said.
