Mob justice remains a pressing issue in Malawi where some people, unsatisfied by the criminal justice system, resort to taking the law into their own hands by meting out justice to suspects.
The idea of seeking immediate justice through violent acts has been ingrained in most communities for years. This cycle of violence perpetuated by anger and fear continues to create more harm than healing.
In the movie The Gunless Soldier, filmmaker and actress Joyce Chavula reflects on the devastating consequences of mob justice.
In an interview, she said the production was inspired by observing how cases of mob justice escalate in communities.
“It is frustrating and devastating to see people lose lives at the hands of others. The movie portrays some of these trends and is a call to action,” she said.
The film centres on Onani, a young girl whose world is turned upside down after her mother is brutally killed.
In pursuit of revenge, she embarks on a journey that leads her to become a self-proclaimed community commander.
Initially, a commander who claimed to be a defender of justice recruited and trained Onani to become part of a group of soldiers that take matters into their own hands.
What began as a seemingly righteous path to justice quickly spirals into further violence and loss.
The soldiers become perpetrators of heinous crimes, looting, killing and accusing innocent villagers of various offences without evidence.
The horrors of mob justice unfold before Onani’s eyes as the soldiers target their fellow soldier’s grandmother and accuse her of being a witch. In a chilling scene, the soldiers set the woman on fire, a stark portrayal of how dangerous mob justice can become.
As violence intensifies, Onani begins to see the destructive consequences of the commander’s actions.
In a different scene, a soldier attacks the commander’s girlfriend, Shura, in retaliation for the burning of his grandmother.
He physically and sexually assaults her, leaving her half-dead.
This senseless act leads to a confrontation between the commander and the village chief, who apparently also benefits from the group’s looting.
Disillusioned by the violence and its consequences, the commander decides to stop the group’s mission. He kills several of his fellow soldiers before committing suicide.
In the wake of his death, Onani finds herself thrust into leadership. As the new commander, she must confront the choices that led her down this path.
However, in a twist, she rises above the violence and bloodshed that has consumed her life. She chooses mercy and spares the life of her mother’s killer who happens to be the village chief.
Onani’s decision to break free from the cycle of vengeance and violence allows her to emerge as a heroine, a symbol of hope and redemption for a community ravaged by injustice.
Her choice sends a clear message that true justice is not found in revenge, but in pursuit of lawful, reasoned solutions.
The Gunless Soldier is a timely reflection and a call to action on the dangers of mob justice, offering an insightful commentary on the destructive effects of vigilante violence.
Government has also faced criticism for its failure to address the growing issue of mob justice.
Elderly people accused of witchcraft are also assaulted or beaten to death.
Civil society organisations and commentators have pointed out government’s inability to effectively curb these extrajudicial punishments.
In the context of The Gunless Soldier, this criticism is brought to life. The film has mirrored real life frustrations of citizens who feel the justice system fails to deliver timely or fair results.
This sense of helplessness often pushes people to take the law into their own hands. In the film, Onani’s quest for justice leads her into the arms of a self-proclaimed community commander who only worsens the cycle of violence.
Human rights organisations such as the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance(Chreaa) have raised alarms about the rise of mob justice in the country.
In a statement released in 2024, Chreaa stressed the consequences of communities resorting to vigilantism, an aspect that is explored in the film as Onani’s journey evolves from one of personal vengeance to an awakening need for real justice.
The film contrasts how the lawless acts of vigilantes, inspired by frustration with the system, result in more loss and stoking violence instead of resolving it.
Security experts and social commentators have also highlighted that mob justice doesn’t just impact the immediate victim, but sparks retaliation and fuels ongoing unrest.
This vicious cycle is clearly portrayed in The Gunless Soldier where acts of revenge spiral out of control, leading to devastating consequences for everyone involved.
The film captures the destructive nature of mob justice, portraying the message that without a functioning legal system, communities risk descending into chaos, where the line between justice and cruelty becomes dangerously blurred.
By drawing from these real world concerns, The Gunless Soldier offers a reflection on the dire need for a robust and fair justice system. It urges viewers to reconsider the consequences of mob justice and the importance of upholding the rule of law.
The film serves as a reminder of the need for a functional, trusted justice system that can provide fair and balanced resolutions to conflicts without resorting to violence.
In an interview, Chavula said while viewers enjoy the movie, it should be a call to respect the law.
“Mob justice has grave consequences on our communities. We must strive to stop it and uphold the principles of justice and law,” she said.
