Chimwendo speaks out on call for mob justice on sexual offenders, says remarks ‘taken out of context’
Minister of Homeland Security Richard Chimwendo Banda says his outspoken comments on the issue of mob justice, had been “taken out of context” as he faced hostile rection from the public, explaining he does not condone lawlessness.
Chimwendo Banda played down demands by human rights organisations calling for his resignation over his remarks on encouraging communities to use ‘mob justice ‘ on alleged perpetrators of defilement.
“I did not intend to and do not in any way condone or support mob justice or unlawful handling of suspects of sexual offences.
“Any interpretation or suggestion to that effect is regretted,” said the minister.
His comments come barely hours after his comments on mob justice drew a backlash from a cross section of Malawians who accused’s him of trying to drift the country into anarchy and lawlessness.
Some human rights activists have asked him to resign as minister of Homeland Security, saying his utterances are a security threat.
He however urged Malawians to stand up against rape and all forms of sexual violence against women and children.
Chimwendo said rape and all forms of sexual violence against women and children must be treated as heinous crimes they are;
“Malawians at all levels of our society MUST act with vigilance in apprehending and handing over to law enforcement agencies, all perpetrators of these deplorable criminal conduct,” he said.
He said the culture of shielding or excusing these barbaric actions must come to an end.
Chimwendo Banda said community policing structures and local leaders must take a lead in this fight.
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Chimwendo please do not listen or put yourself under pressure by the CSOs who are just looking for faults. To find a fault in someone is simpler than to find good things. We are not judged by the good things we do most of the time. One can be at 100% but the moment 95% good and 5% bad, the later will erase the former. The issue of rape and defilements cannot be predicted from the people who commit the crimes just like weather. These things happen in closed doors or bushes unlike theft or robberies that can happen in… Read more »
Kodi the so called human rights mumafuna chani inu mukusekelera anthu azichinda to ana tkukhonde zoona…..tsiku lina ndi ana anu atazachindidwe muzawona…mwayenera kupelekera gondolosi kwa anthu okwata ti ana inu zitsiru dyera basi
The remarks were not taken out of context at all. Nobody wants mob justice to be a substitute for the rule of law. But then, incidents of rape and killing of albinos are so hideous and common in Malawi that decent folks don’t know what to do. If the minister was a real man he would have stood his ground on principle and handed in his resignation. It was up to the president to refuse to accept his resignation. Case closed. Fortunately, some of us are not cabinet ministers, and we use pseudonyms. Thus we don’t have any problems whatsoever… Read more »
Yes Chimwendo should have stood his ground and confirm his belief in the way rapists should be handled. You can not deliberately break the law and confidently expect the same law to protect you. Chimwendo shouldn’t even resign as this cockroache is suggesting. We don’t have enough policing manpower to protect our children so now we catch you with a child it will be petrol roasting. Dare us and take a chance.
I’ve since read a few WhatsApp articles against mob justice. I am now convinced the potential danger inherent in such a practice far outweighs any perceived gain.
It’s Good for human rights activists to intensify their campaign agains rape and defilement. The perpetrators themselves derive their victims the most important human rights. Yet you expect them to be respected. Sure????
We watched the video and have the evidence about what exactly was said. Malawians are not idiots.
Yes we are not stupid dare us we will roast you now. Ask Peter he will confirm that Malawians are not stupid indeed.
Stupid loud mouth of a Minister.
Uyu akuti Chinwendo amalakhula ngati vendor ,zochita zake za usaveji , kukhala ngati anakulira moyo waku ng’ombe , thawi zambiri amalakhula ngati kulibeso mawa, Chimwendo chenjera nawo mlomo, ukakhala pa msana wa jobvu ,tsiku lina udzatsika kapena adzakutsitsa samala zochita zako kuti matsiku ako a chuluke limatelo bible
Uyu ndiye commander wa Nsundwe Barraks, sizodabwitsa