CHRR, CEDEP call for rational reflection on Malawi security: Condemn shooting of DPP official

Two human rights groups Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (CEDEP), have expressed dismay with the aggravating state of security in the country which is partly evident by the recent shooting of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Regional Treasurer for the North, Happy Kumwenda, who fortunately survived but with serious injuries.

Kumwenda was admitted to St John’s Hospital in Mzuzu after he was shot  at his house on Sunday and has been referred to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre where the bullets are expected to be removed.

According to the gun-shot survivor, he was being followed by a motorcycle from Katoto residential area where he is building a house to his home in Mzilawayingwe Township

In a joint statement signed by CHRR and Cedep executive directors Timothy Mtambo and Gift Trapence respectively, the two human rights strongly condemned the “barbaric acts” and call upon the Police to swiftly conclude the investigations so that the assailants are punished accordingly.

“As human rights defenders, we at CHRR and Cedep strongly believe that right to life is a fundamental human right, and one of non-derogable rights as prescribed in our Republic Constitution, and must be respected and protected at all costs. Any attempt to infringe on this right must be condemned in strongest terms, and justice must take its course,” reads the statement made available to Nyasa Times.

CHRR and Cedep, further acknowledged the current efforts being made by Police e to come to the bottom of the issue by assuring the public not to panic.

The watchdogs however appealed to Police to “translate their rhetoric into concrete action” considering the background of the failure by the Police to either conclude investigations or even take longer time than expected to conclude matters of similar nature like this.

“ It is such experiences that have often made some sections of the public to remain pessimistic and eventually panic at the hearing of such frightening news despite several assurances that everything is in control.

“They say justice delayed is justice denied. We at CHRR and Cedep can only hope that our Police will this time around act differently, as per their assurances, in the best interest of the rights of the victim, and the general public,” the two groups said.

CHRR and Cedep also persuaded the general public to “cooperate with the police” by feeding them with timely crime tips and reporting any suspicious person around them/

“ We also call for a sober and rational reflection on the state of security in the country, and collectively provide tangible solutions to address this insecurity. The time to do that is now. Let us make Malawi a safe country where the right to life as fundamental human rights is respected, protected and promoted by all –state and non-state actors including the citizens themselves,” reads the statement.

Kumwenda told reporters from his hospital bed that he was being followed by a motorcycle from Katoto residential area where he is building a house to his home in Mzilawayingwe Township.

“When I reached home, I parked my car and started chatting with the guard. Then some people in a black Nissan Note came and said they wanted a car to hire,” he said.

The DPP official said the people told him they came from Mchengautuwa.