Justice Link denounces use of force in new gazetted covid-19 measures enforcement

One of the country’s human rights activists has advised law enforcement officers to avoid using excessive force to enforce newly gazetted measures to contain the spread of corona virus pandemic

The call comes after reports indicated that police officers are beating up people found not putting on masks and those boarding a minibus with excess capacity.

Speaking to Radio Islam, the Lilongwe based human rights activist who is also Executive Director for Justice Link, Justin Dzonzi, said police are supposed to execute their duties within their mandate.

“Police are only allowed to use reasonable force if a person is not accommodative enough to officers,” Dzonzi

He however was quick to remind the general public that they have the duty to not to expose other people to the pandemic.

But reacting to the matter, Malawi Police Service Public relations Officer, James Kadadzera, said it is the duty of law enforcers to ensure that people are complying with stated rules.

Kadadzera said “there are some circumstances where police use reasonable forces especially when there is physical resistance.”

He also urged members of the public to adhere to the rules and regulations to collectively fight the disease.