Appalled by the shoot-to-kill sentiments of lawyer Sylvester Ayuba James, street-connected children have petitioned Malawi Law Society (MLS) and Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) over the sentiments.
Ayuba, on January 14 2025 wrote on his Facebook wall, calling on government to shoot and kill street-connected children suspected of vandalising street light poles in Lilongwe.
But in their Chichewa handwritten petition, a copy of which Nation on Sunday was given, the street-connected children through their representatives describe Ayuba’s sentiments as life-threatening to them, including those not involved in crime.
Reads the letter in part: “Some of us go in the streets to purely beg or to find any type of piecework so that we can find food on a daily basis, therefore, the sentiments by the individual [Ayuba] are a threat to us, especially those of us that are not into crime.”
The street-connected children say they were compelled to draft the petition after Ayuba’s post went viral; hence, a section of them suggested their street leaders should find out who authored the post and where they can lodge their complaints.
In the Facebook post, Ayuba alleged that street-connected children, whom he referred to as thugs and terrorists, are purportedly vandalising street light poles to wreak terror on people when it is dark.
He wrote: “I have always given my free advice to government: if you are serious about restoring order in this extended village of Malawi, the starting point is to recruit terminator with silenced guns, shoot these thugs to death at night and bury them amass somewhere along the border with Mozambique in Dzalanyama or feed them to the hyenas in Nkhotakota and Thuma game reserves.
“A society run on principles of mercy and kindness degenerates into total chaos and ungovernableness. You cannot protect everyone’s life, including useless lives and expect to succeed as a society.”
The private practice lawyer, who was on January 16 2025 appointed into Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi board by President Lazarus Chakwera, therefore, said the street-connected children need to be dealt with decisively and “mercilessly”.
But the street-connected children, in the letter, say after establishing through his Facebook page that Ayuba is a lawyer, well-conversant with laws, they were surprised he could make such sentiments.
They, therefore, want him to be disciplined by MLS for his sentiments, while MHRC should intervene to ensure their safety.
But when contacted on Wednesday, Ayuba said: “But if they can petition MLS, they are, certainly, not street children. These must be some organised individuals with an agenda.”
MLS honorary secretary Gabriel Chembezi on Thursday said they were still following up on the letter.
National Police deputy spokesman Harry Namwaza said much as the law enforcers have not received any formal complaint relating to the matter, they take the sentiments seriously.
He said: “Regarding the sentiments expressed by Mr. James, we take such allegations seriously, especially those that may incite violence. If a complaint is submitted, it will be thoroughly investigated.”
Reacting to the matter, Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance executive director Victor Mhango, said such reckless statements not only go against principles of human rights and injustice, but also risks inciting violence and lawlessness.
“The legal profession demands responsibility, fairness and respect for the dignity of all individuals. We urge relevant authorities, including MLS, to take appropriate action and remind legal practitioners of their ethical obligations,” he said.
Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation executive director Michael Kaiyatsa said such sentiments contribute to the stigmatisation and further marginalisation of street-connected children.
He said: “These remarks are not only harmful, but also violate the fundamental rights of vulnerable children”.
In a written response yesterday, MHRC chairperson Chikondi Chijozi said: “It’s an issue we are taking seriously and our legal team is looking into it”..
In recent months, solar street light poles in the capital city have been vandalied by unknown people, irking residents who have expressed their frustrations on social media and other forums.
Vandalism of the metal solar street light poles is an offence which contravenes Section 344 (1) of the Penal Code.
