The police are charged with keeping citizens safe from violent assault. Yet for many Malawians wanting to exercise their right to peaceful protests, this protection only exists theoretically.
Lately, protesters are increasingly being failed by police officers who do not seem to take violence against peaceful Malawians seriously. The police inaction has taken many forms, from standing by during attacks to failing to properly investigate and prosecute offenders.
Just last week, machete-wielding thugs descended on a group of citizens that had gathered at Lilongwe Community Ground to hold peaceful demonstrations against the Malawi Electoral Commission. The group, led by the Civil Society For Credible Elections, were unarmed, and in the presence of police officers and Malawi Defence Forces (MDF) officers. It, therefore, beats all understanding how the thugs managed to mercilessly beat up the protests organisers in full view of the armed law enforcers, with none of the attackers being arrested.
To date, Police have said they are still investigating the matter.
However, this is not the first case in which attacks have occurred on innocent citizens under the watch of Police and in some cases, the MDF officers.
In February this year, Parliament descended into chaos as some thugs vandalised vehicles belonging to two opposition female legislators during a session where President Lazarus Chakwera was answering questions. The vehicles, belonging to Zomba Malosa member of Parliament (MP) Grace Kwelepeta and her Zomba Changalume counterpart Lonnie Chijere Chirwa, both of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), were vandalised within the supposedly secure parliamentary premises, and it all happened on the law enforcers’ watch. But no one was apprehended.
A couple of days later, on the insistence of opposition legislators, CCTV footage was viewed in Parliament, and perpetrators were seen therein deflating tyres of the vehicles of the two victims, but surprisingly no one has been taken to account to this day.
In as far as demonstrations are concerned, there is a litany of incidents where perpetrators of violence have acted with impunity. Among the incidents is the assault of DPP members by panga-wielding hoodlums at Mbowe in Lilongwe. The opposition members had their vehicles vandalised as they prepared for a political parade.
Similarly, protesters led by activist Bon Kalindo were attacked with pangas during a peaceful demonstration in Lilongwe against the high cost of living, forex shortage, and hunger. This was in September 2023, and to date, no arrest has been made.
November 2024 saw armed hooligans disrupting a multi-party protest over electoral concerns in Lilongwe using machetes.
Again, in March this year, a protest over fuel shortages, organised by a civil society group Cdedi, was violently disrupted by thugs. And in the same month, civil servants and teachers who gathered to protest a 20 percent salary adjustment were attacked in Lilongwe, with some being physically harmed. No perpetrators were arrested.
Just last month, Mzuzu vendors protesting business-related grievances were violently dispersed by panga-wielding attackers, and no arrests were made. The question is, for how long will the Police investigate the cases? Do Malawians’ lives, and indeed rights, not matter? Are the law enforcers saying these thugs are above the law?
All these incidents point to a blatant disregard of human rights, including the fundamental right to free expression. Without question, the attackers are bent on silencing critical voices and creating fear among citizens. But a free civil society is essential for transparency, accountability, economic growth, and good governance in a democracy. Therefore, the targeting of rights activists and citizens not only violates constitutional rights, but also emboldens perpetrators and erodes public trust in democratic institutions, including the law enforcement agencies.
As the September 16 General Election draws near, police fairness and professionalism is even more critical. It is time that the Police reflected seriously on the need to play their law enforcement role and protect not just the citizens’ rights and lives, but the institution’s integrity as well.
Malawians need to see a Police Service that does not side with perpetrators of violence at the expense of peaceful, unarmed citizens’ rights. It is essential that the Police prioritise the safety and well-being of all citizens and take swift and decisive action to address violence in all its forms.
