The Public Appointments Committee of Parliament has asked government to address security issues in the country’s prisons.
This comes at the same the Committee has declared Wandika Phiri, Chief Commissioner for Prisons competent.
On Wednesday, the Committee summoned Phiri to respond on allegations that inmates are smuggling mobile phones into prisons which they use to steal from people.
It is further alleged that some prison warders do help the prisoners bring phones and simcards into the prison.
And on Wednesday the committee conducted an inquiry into Phiri’s competence following a complaint that was submitted to Parliament that prisoners most especially from Zomba Maximum prison are using mobile money wallets such as mpamba and Airtel money to steal from people outside prison.
Speaking to MIJ Online, Joyce Chitsulo Committee Chairperson said the Committee heard from Phiri and decided to declare her competent as they were convinced with efforts she is putting to address the situation.
Chitsulo said the Committee also noted security gaps as visitors also do smuggle the phones and sim cards into the prison just because the search is done manually.
She then expressed need to allocate more funds to address security issues at the entrance of the country’s prisons so that detective devices are placed.