Zomba Prison searches cells for illicit items
Chaotic scenes were reported Thursday morning at Zomba Maximum Prison as prison warders searched prison cells for illicit items.
Spokesperson for Malawi Prison Services, Smart Maliro confirmed the search but described the exercise as a routine process.
Maliro said the exercise is meant to confiscate illegal items and substances which somehow find their way into the cells despite strict security measures the prisons have.
He said an Officer-in-Charge of any prison can order such searches whenever he deems fit to enhance security.
“The exercise is purely legal. The Prisons Act clearly outlines the items which are not supposed to be found in prisons. These are the items which pose a security threat to the prisoners themselves, their housemates and the warders. Some of them are ropes, stones, knives, nails, wires and other sharp objects which they can use to harm other people or even commit suicide,” he said.
Maliro could, however, not disclose the items the search uncovered but said the warders confiscated all the items that fall within the illicit items category.
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues
