Malawi Police Service has come under fire over the conduct of its officers who casually watched as masked armed men on Wednesday attacked and foiled protests demanding action on electoral concerns.
In separate interviews and statements, Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), Youth and Society (YAS), National Advocacy Platform (NAP), CCAP Blantyre Synod’s Church and Society Programme and individual analysts yesterday called on the police to investigate the events and ensure provision of security during protests regardless of political affiliation.
The reactions follow the scenario where police officers ostensibly assigned to provide security turned into spectators as masked armed hoodlums took control and dispersed opposition protesters pushing Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and National Registration Bureau (NRB) to address electoral concerns.
The protesters planned to march to MEC offices to deliver their petition demanding the resignation of MEC chairperson Annabel Mtalimanja, MEC chief elections officer Andrew Mpesi and NRB Principal Secretary Mphatso Sambo for alleged failure to discharge duties and preside over the September 16 2025 General Elections.
In an interview yesterday, MHRC chairperson Chikondi Chijozi condemned growing cases of political violence and police’s failure to act on the violence that happened in Lilongwe.
She said the police should demonstrate that it is non-partisan and arrest those involved in the barbaric acts.
“We don’t want to have a situation where no one gets arrested or investigated over these barbaric acts that happened yesterday,” said Chijozi, a lawyer.
She said MHRC will take action against the police if the agency does not institute proceedings against those behind the barbaric acts.
“The commission has powers to protect and promote human rights. We will explore all avenues, including taking legal action against the police,” said Chijozi.
On his part, YAS executive director Charles Kajoloweka said his organisation has written Inspector General of Police Merlyne Yolamu to open an investigation into why police officers at the scene failed to protect demonstrators.
Reads the YAS letter: “Youth and Society urges you to demonstrate strong leadership and ensure that those responsible for this democracy-threatening fracas—both the perpetrators and any officers who neglected their duties—face the necessary legal and disciplinary actions.
“We are confident that, under your stewardship, the Malawi Police Service will act to safeguard the rights of all Malawians and uphold the values upon which our nation was founded.”
In a statement signed by chairpeson Benedicto Kondowe and coordinator Baxton Nkhoma, NAP also called on police to commit to providing unbiased security for all citizens and upholding constitutional rights without discrimination.
“Yesterday’s use of tear gas against protesters, in contrast to the inaction toward counter-protesters, calls into question whether law enforcement acted independently and proportionately, as required by the Constitution,” reads the statement.
On its part, CCAP Blantyre Synod Church and Society also condemned the violence and the conduct of police to sit back and watch people armed with pangas cause terror.
The synod has also asked the police chief to act if Malawians are to sustain their trust in the police.
Reads the statement: “On 24th February this year, armed thugs disrupted a peaceful demonstration organised by the Democratic Progressive Party in Lilongwe. Two weeks ago, armed thugs mounted an illegal roadblock at Nsundwe terrorising road users. Up until now, no person connected to these instances has been arrested.”
National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya said the officers do not condone any form of violence, including political violence, in the country irrespective of who is responsible.
“We are a professional Police Service and we will continue to act professionally for the safety of all Malawians,” he said.
On the letter from YAS to the IG, Kalaya said it has not yet reached the office of the IG, but the IG will respond when it reaches her desk.
Political analyst Chrispin Mphande said the police should have ensured that people who wanted to hold demonstrations are protected from those that carried pangas. He said even if those that carried pangas were protecting businesses the police needed to bring order.
However, he also called on organisers of demonstrations to put in place measures that protect people’s businesses.
Another political analyst George Chaima described the incident as not just shameful, but also a sign of failure by the police as a security providing agency.
The opposition parties are protesting against the electoral body and NRB leadership as well as the use of Smartmatics information and communications technology election management system, among others.
But in a letter dated November 11 2024 addressed to secretaries general of opposition parties demanding her resignation, Mtalimanja, a judge of the High Court of Malawi, said MEC is committed to discharging its powers and functions within the framework of the country’s Constitution.
