Police are investigating a policeman accused of telling two African priests to go back to Africa because “you don’t belong here”.
Tanzanian priest Fr Beatus Mauki, one of the Jesuits involved in the incident reported in last Sunday’s newspaper, said he was contacted by the police last Sunday and he gave a statement at Sliema police station that day.
The following day, he picked out the policeman he believed was responsible for the comments from an identity parade in the presence of the Jesuits’ lawyer.
The police informed him they would conduct an internal investigation after Fr Mauki, who is on a two-year placement with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Malta, told them he did not want to press charges.
“I just wanted the policeman to know his comments were not acceptable and for him to not repeat such things in future,” Fr Mauki told The Sunday Times.
Last Sunday, this newspaper reported that Fr Mauki and Provincial of East Africa Fr Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator SJ were walking towards the bus stop close to Msida police station when the policeman approached and told them without provocation to “go back to Africa, you don’t belong here.” The priests were not wearing clergymen clothing at the time.
Questions sent to the police last week about their investigation into the incident, and about whether they deemed the policeman’s behaviour as reported to be racist or xenophobic, remained unanswered.
After several attempts to contact the police yesterday, a police Community and Media Relations Unit spokesman said they “only work Monday to Friday”.
Nevertheless, Fr Mauki said he is pleased the police appear to be taking action.
“I am satisfied that they contacted me and they seemed to take the issue very seriously. They were very helpful and it was very comforting to know they cared. I’m confident they will do their investigation properly,” he said.
JRS director Joe Cassar also said he was pleased the police had contacted them. He did not wish to add anything else because he said it is important to allow the police to do their job and he did not want to interfere in their investigation.