LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has condemned Malawi Police Service (MPS) on the misuse of Cyber security law in intimidating citizen.
Commissioner Teleza Ndagha made the remarks during the interface meeting with the Independence Complaints Commission (ICC), MHRC, Police and the Defense Committee of Parliament.
Ndanga observes that Police is using the law to punish those who have offended the ruling party official against the law’s purpose of serving citizenry.
She added that there are still pockets of police officers who are still using force to enforce the cyber law.
“Police keep on backing up the officers who are abusing their law which is a very disappointing,” said Ndagha.
Chairperson for the committee, Salim Bagus said the committee will report to the August House on the review of the law
“It seems the law was passed before proper scrutiny according to the MHRC report and we will go back to the August house and discuss its review,” said Bagus.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (IG) Happy Mkandawire has asked those who are having problems with cyber law enforcement to appeal for Act’ review.
“The police is only using the law in apprehending those that have abused the cyber law in accordance to the law,” said Mkandawire.
ICC Commissioner, Christopher Tukula said the Commission is happy that all the investigation that the commission has made has led to criminal investigations
Tukula said they received 285 complaints since ICCs establishment and out of them 50 have been concluded.
“It’s a resource-intensive activity but we are channeling all the investigation at our central offices as we are planning to establish other branches in all the districts,” said Tukula.
He further said the Commission received MK90 million in the past financial year but the Msundwe case used MK60 million.
