Wandika Phiri
Wandika Phiri | |
|---|---|
| Known for | leading the Malawi Prison Service (twice) |
| Successor | Masauko Ng’ombeyagwada (interim) |
Wandika (Grace) Phiri is a Malawian government official, leading the Malawi Prison Service. She became the Commissioner General for the Malawi Prisons Service in 2017. She moved away in 2020, but in November 2025 it was announced that her successor, Masauko Ng’ombeyagwada, had been moved and she would return.
Life
In 2017, Malawi's President, Peter Mutharika, made important appointments that won the approval of gender activists. Phiri became the head of the Malawi Prison Service while Mercy Pindani and Belinda Gombachika were appointed to lead the Kamuzu College of nursing.[1][2]
During her first year she faced a challenge because of discontent caused by the differing employment conditions between police officers and prison warders. She warned that staff needed to work normally while salary harmonisation was addressed and she threatened to charge those who did not comply with mutiny.[3]
In January 2020 she went to the prison in Ntcheu where a new water system had been installed. The facility had been paid for by the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian synod in Blantyre.[4]
In August 2020 the prison officers were dealing with prisoners and the risk of affection from COVID-19. Phiri thanked the Minister of Homeland Security Richard Chimwendo Banda when he visited and reassured the prison officers that an additional allowance would be paid.[5] Phiri arranged for a large number of prisoners to be released early to reduce the pressure during the pandemic.[6]
Homeland Security Minister, Jean Sendeza, ordered an investigation in 2022 over the smuggling of phones into prisons. She wanted the criminal activities of prison officers involved to be stopped and she demanded a report in seven days. Phiri stated that all holes would be sealed.[7]
In 2023 she was moved to the President's office and Masauko Ng’ombeyagwada took over her role.[8] However in 2025 Peter Mutharika was re-elected as President. Masauko Ng’ombeyagwada Wisikoti was transferred to a position in the department of Homeland Security because Wandika Phiri was returning.[9]
References
- ^ "Gender activist hails appointment of Wanika as first female Chief Commissioner of Malawi Prisons: Expect positive reforms". www.nyasatimes.com. 2017-06-29. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
- ^ Nzangaya, Archangel (2017-06-27). "Mutharika appoints woman as Malawi prison chief Malawi 24". Malawi 24. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
- ^ Nzangaya, Archangel (2017-07-17). "Prison warders face mutiny charges Malawi 24 | Latest News from Malawi". Malawi 24. Archived from the original on 2025-03-19. Retrieved 2025-04-15.
- ^ Mitumba, Flora (2020-01-21). "CCAP Blantyre Synod Blesses Ntcheu Prison with Water System Facility". Archived from the original on 2025-04-24. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
- ^ Mitumba, Flora (2020-08-03). "Govt Assures Prison officers of Covid-19 Risk Allowance". Archived from the original on 2025-04-14. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
- ^ "From a prisoner to a village marvel | EEAS". www.eeas.europa.eu. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
- ^ Ngwira, Robert (2022-06-02). "All Warders Involved In Phones Syndicate at Zomba Prison To Be Interdicted". Archived from the original on 2025-04-14. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
- ^ Ngwira, Robert (2023-04-18). "Masauko Ng'ombeyagwada appointed as new Malawi Prisons Service Chief". Archived from the original on 2025-04-14. Retrieved 2025-04-14.
- ^ "Government has redeployed Commissioner General of Malawi Prison Service Masauko Ng'ombeyagwada Wisikoti..." www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2025-11-14.