HRDC demands arrest of DPP cadets for demos disruption

September 4, 2019 Alfred Chauwa & Owen Khamula -Nyasa Times 28 Comments

A high level Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) and Attorney General meeting was nearly thrown into disarray after the rights activists demanded a clause be added in their commitments for peaceful demonstrations to arrest and take to court Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) youth cadets who disrupt the protests.

Deputy IG Nyondo speaking during the meeting
Mtambo far right semvereka 2(R), Khwima Uchizi 3(R).

HRDC officials, at the meeting which was held in the absence of the Attorney General Kalekeni Kaphale but attended by top police officers and officials from the Attorney General offices, showed displeasure after noting that this clause was not included in the commitment paper.

The meeting went on after assurances that anyone caught disrupting the peaceful demonstrations would be arrested and be brought before the court.

Khwima Chizi, lawyer representing HRDC said he was impressed with the progress on the talks.

“We have made progress. The talks have gone the way we had wanted,” said Chizi.

He said the court will now endorse what had been agreed during the meeting for peaceful demonstrations.

“We will drop an intent order on how the demos should be conducted. The intent order would be binding and all parties shall abide by the order,” he said.

Deputy Inspector General of police, John Nyondo,  told HRDC officials to ensure that protesters are unarmed, marshals should be deployed with their numbers and identies known for planning purposes, there should be transport ready for protesters after the demos and the media should stop live covered of the protests.

However, some of the issues the HRDC opposed to include; the police should train marshals, police to have personal details of the marshals, HRDC to provide transport to protesters after demonstrations and party leaders not to be given platform to talk to protesters.  

The rights defenders also asked Attorney General to advise Malawi Broadcasting Corporation to stop  hate programmes within or after demonstrations, saying the propaganda on MBC fuels anger amongst protesters.
HRDC also said there is need for the AG office to advise City councils to stop playing politics with issues to do with demonstrations.
“For example the behavior of Blantyre City Council leaves a lot to be desired at one time they told us that they will not allow demonstrations in Blantyre because all roads will be busy with other business, that was not fair to Malawians,” said HRDC Chair Timothy Mtambo.
On the other hand, government demanded that HRDC should respect and uphold Section 38 of the Constitution which talks about peaceful demonstrations.
Government further demanded that HRDC should be addressing the protesters and advise them against violence during demonstrations.
The two sides have agreed on a set of dos and don’ts during future demonstrations to avert violence, looting and destruction of property.
Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal issued a 14-day moratorium against the HRDC from holding any demonstrations in Malawi.
The decision by Justice Lovemore Chikopa followed an appeal by Attorney General  against the HRDC after High Court Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda refused to grant the AG an injunction against the protests.

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28 replies on “HRDC demands arrest of DPP cadets for demos disruption”

  2. What agroup.I thought they are for every Malawian,he is a politician it’s the same language the opposition are using.Their group to them is for angels while all in the other side are demons.That way you are taming croocs within yourselves because they know that your eyes will not be on them but the other side.You are childish not fit to be an administrator.

  6. Some commenters on Nysatimes like to say “these people have grown wings”…. This is the language of the oppressor. What wings?
    Peace is not the absence of war, but the presence of justice, blind justice – chilungamo chosaona nkhope.
    Superficial fake shallow peace is more harmful.

    1. If he is a failure what is your problem Mr Mzunga, by the way, how is your shop going on Mr Shopkeeper?

  10. The only good thing to come out of these demos is the soiling and spoiling of MCP and UTM’s images so that they continue to lose elections. Anthu akumudzi aja azingowuzidwa kuti sankhani pakati pachipani chachitukuko ndi cbipani chaziwawa. Chilima who seemed like a rising star has proved to be a rising disaster. Chakwera who seemed like a breathe of fresh air has proved to be chiphwisi basi.

  13. Is it possible cadet to arrest a cadet ?ndakayika. I am saying this because of the behaviour of some policemen the way they conduct their duties. System Ku police inasokonekela Cadets are more powerful than our genuine men in uniform

  14. Ntambo is now commander in chief of the ARMED forces, they are able to listen to him when he summons them to the streets to protect him and his hooligans. For once will somebody convince me where these people are getting the mandate to represent us. Have they unsurped the mandate of our elected representatives. It appears parliament has been rendered useless because now Ntambo and comapany have taken over. Imagine even parlaiment is failing to tame these boys.

    1. Yes you are right. As the situation is Mtambo is in all practical sence the President of Malawi by virtue of public trust which gives power to people as it wills The government has the authority to govern but without this power they become a paper tiger. Apparently the police and government have lost this power to HRDC with Mtambo as its president. Have you noticed my friend how the masses respond to HRDC calls. Thats power there. The question is why a newly elected government should lose power so fast. It saddens some of us to witness a situation where the president should be moving around at night like a fog with a tail between his legs. Shaaa my Malawi.

    2. The three idiots are the ones to be arrested because they are the ones bringing confusion on the streets in Malawi. How do you convict people who are defending themselves and trying to protect their hard earned property?

      These people have grown wings that is why parliament is ineffective hence cannot function nor bite, the military has it’s own shortfalls needing sorting out (mainly after politics has been introduced in the barracks by contemporary politicians) and finally the allegiance our poverty stricken legal fraternity in the country has completely lost it. Lawyers are in the forefront advocating violence by bringing in their language called freedom of speech/association. Human rights blah! blah! Are the victims affected by these hooligans not covered by law but HRDC and their gangsters?

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