Central West Region officers in a roadshow activity
On 8 December, 2021, female law enforcers from all 41 Policing stations across the country marched off the ground on a high note after an intensive three-day operation Basadi.
During the three day operation which fell in the midst of 16 days of activism, Malawian women in uniform led by it's Chairperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police Jessie Nyirongo who is also the South West Region Anti-Motor Vehicle ln-charge arrested perpetrators of sexual and various offences, conducted sensitization awareness, sweeping exercises and roadblocks.
For instance on the night of December 6, 2021, Women in uniform from Mzimba arrested 12 suspects who are suspected to have committed various offences including murder and defilement.
Ntcheu Police Women Network apprehended three suspects and recovered a mattress at Mphepozinai while Thyolo Victor Ndalama, 28, of Chibwana Village, Traditional Authority Nchitamwera in Thyolo who assaulted his wife for taking longer while at the market where she went to buy relish.
On the same, Women in uniform at Lunzu Police arrested Tamandani Mpokosa, 25, from Mwethiwa Village, Traditional Authority Changata in Thyolo who stole a three week old baby at Chilimba Market on November 29, 2021 and has been on the run while Kanengo arrested Steven Chamama 28, of Funsani who raped a 22-year old woman on November 26, 2021.
Nkhotakota, Limbe, Ndirande and Nkhunga apprehended suspects who were found in possession of Indian hemp whereby in one of the scenarios was intercepted at the roadblock during searching.
The female cops also dated various communities to preach GBV related issues. In a rare scenario Ndirande Women in uniform hiked to the top of Nyambadwe hills where a lot of people go to worship where they encouraged them to report GBV cases to the relevant authorities and also gifted the congregants with packets of sugar.
Lilongwe dated pregnant women at Bwaila Hospital Maternity Wing while female cops in Mchinji cautioned traditional healers on GBV issues.
"Basadi" which literally means 'women' in Sotho and Tswana languages is an operation by female police officers across countries in the SADC region and it focuses on combating priority crimes particularly against women and children, such as defilement, rape, assault, human trafficking, domestic violence and child labour among others.
The main purpose of the operation is to display the active role female police officers play in law enforcement.
The SADC region operation was established in 2013 under the theme: "We are on it, gender based violence must stop."
Basadi operation normally takes place twice annually and every police woman in the SADC region is expected to participate.