Richard Luhanga
Richard Chikoko Luhanga is a Malawian police officer and public servant who serves as the Inspector General of Police of the Malawi Police Service. He was appointed to the position in October 2025 by President Peter Mutharika as part of a national government and security leadership reshuffle.
Early career
Luhanga was born in Bolero, Rumphi District, Northern Malawi. He is Tumbuka by tribe. Before his appointment as Inspector General, he held several positions within the Malawi Police Service, including serving as Northern Region Commissioner of Police.Appointment as Inspector General
In October 2025, President Peter Mutharika appointed Luhanga as the new Inspector General of Police. The appointment came as part of a broader reorganisation of the country’s security institutions, including the Malawi Defence Force and intelligence services. He replaced Merlyne Yolamu, who had served as the first female Inspector General of Police in Malawi.Legal issues and controversy
In March 2025, while serving as Northern Region Commissioner, Luhanga was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on allegations of abuse of office. According to ACB reports, the case involved the alleged misuse of paint donated by Press Trust Limited that was meant for the renovation of public buildings, specifically the Northern Region Police Headquarters and Mzuzu Police Hospital but was allegedly diverted to paint his private property at Nkhozo Estate in Bolero, Rumphi. He was granted bail under standard conditions, including a cash bond and surrender of travel documents.The decision to appoint Luhanga as Inspector General while the case remained pending drew public criticism and debate. Legal experts, however, defended the move on grounds that interdiction or pending investigations do not legally disqualify a person from appointment, signifying the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence.