The Leadership Institute for Transparency and Accountability (LITA) on Wednesday strongly condemned the arrest and detention of Silvester Namiwa, executive director of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), describing the treason charges against him as a grave assault on Malawi’s democratic values and constitutional freedoms.
In a statement LITA executive director Goodwell Logeya, said the incarceration on treason charges represents a grave assault on Malawi’s democratic values and constitutional freedoms.
The organisation argued that civil society groups form the backbone of accountability and transparency in Malawi.
“The use of treason charges against an activist for exercising his right to free expression is a dangerous precedent that risks criminalising dissent and silencing legitimate voices of oversight,” the statement reads in part. “The arbitrary arrests threaten democracy.”
Opposition leaders have echoed the concerns. In a joint statement, People’s Development Party president Kondwani Nankhumwa, UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe and United Democratic Front president Atupele Muluzi said: “Today it is Sylvester Namiwa. Tomorrow it could be a journalist, a human-rights defender, an activist, a political leader, or an ordinary Malawian who asks an uncomfortable question.”
Civil society groups under the National Advocacy Platform also urged the Director of Public Prosecutions to review the case, stating: “We call upon the Director of Public Prosecutions to urgently review this matter and consider discontinuing the prosecution in the interests of justice.”
In a strong-worded statement, LITA called on the government to respect constitutional freedoms of speech, assembly and association, end arbitrary arrests and intimidation of activists, and engage in constructive dialogue with civil society rather than treating it as an adversary.
“We stand in solidarity with Mr. Namiwa and all activists who continue to speak truth to power despite intimidation. Malawi’s democracy cannot thrive under fear and repression,” Logeya stated.
He further said the arrest of Namiwa is not just about one individual—it is about the future of Malawi’s democratic space.
Namiwa was arrested on 30 July 2026 after responding to a police summons at national headquarters in Lilongwe. He was initially held on allegations of publishing false news and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
On 3 August, a Lilongwe magistrate formally charged him with treason under Section 38(1)(a) of the Penal Code and publication of false news likely to cause public fear and alarm.
The case was committed to the High Court. The charges stem from statements he allegedly made during a July television interview on Luntha TV, amid his public calls for accountability, including demands for a forensic audit of the Beautify Malawi Trust linked to the First Lady and allegations concerning the wealth of senior officials.
The arrest has drawn wider concern from the Malawi Human Rights Commission and other figures, who have questioned the handling of the case and called for Namiwa’s release or bail while proceedings continue.
Namiwa, a prominent governance activist previously recognised for human rights work and known for outspoken criticism of public officials, remains in custody pending High Court processes.
