Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) executive director Boniface Chibwana has warned that failure by State security to tame perpetrators of political violence even when attacks happen right in front of them threatens democracy.
Speaking in Lilongwe yesterday on the sidelines of a Preventing Electoral Violence and Civic Education training organised by Ahead Africa and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) in Lilongwe, Chibwana said the unchecked violence also directly threatens electoral integrity because citizens could be scared to attend rallies or vote due to safety concerns.
He noted that despite President Lazarus Chakwera’s demand for preliminary reports on the June 26 2025 attack on activist Sylvester Namiwa and others, no findings have been released and no arrests have been made.
He said: “The police and MDF [Malawi Defence Force] have not produced investigation reports or held perpetrators accountable and this erodes public trust. Whenever violence is not dealt with decisively, it should concern Malawians. When security agents witness violence but fail to protect citizens, it has to be a concern.”
Chibwana said Namiwa’s attack is not isolated as there were other violent actions on protesters before, but no arrests were made.
Reacting to the sentiments, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency executive director Willy Kambwandira said the apparent inaction by police and the MDF raised serious doubts about the integrity of the upcoming elections.
Last month, rights group Youth and Society dared Chakwera to make public guarantees and establish means for the safety of citizens, including protest organisers and opposition political parties.
In a letter to the President dated June 28 2025, the organisation’s executive director Charles Kajoloweka also called on Chakwera to fire Minister of Homeland Security Ezekiel Ching’oma and Inspector General of Police Merlyne Yolamu for alleged “gross incompetence” and continued failure to protect Malawians.
