Female head of police for Malawi

Malawi’s national police chief has been fired, after new president Joyce Banda was sworn in this weekend following the death of her predecessor.

Lottie Dzonzi was yesterday named to replace Peter Mukhito as police chief.

Mr Mukhito had been linked to crackdowns on anti-government protesters under president Bingu wa Mutharika, who died last week.

Though she was his vice-president, Ms Banda had been estranged from Mr Mutharika, and her appointment as president has been welcomed by rights groups.