HRDC turns to Mwapasa, persuades Parliament to reject him as Malawi police IG

The ‘Jane Ansah must fall’ protest organisers, Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) are pleading with parliament not to confirm the embattled acting Inspector General of police Duncan Mwapasa.

HRDC chair Mtambo and his deputy Gift Trapence leading from the front line during the protests

HRDC chairperson Timothy Mtambo has said this as protestors are gathering Friday morning for the last leg of this wave of protests in Lilongwe.

“Malawians do not want Mwapasa as their IG. Malawians want a better future for their country. They do not want enemies of progress,” said Mtambo.

He said if the ruling Democratic Progress Party (DPP) uses its numerical strength in parliament coupled with financial muscle to push for the confirmation of Mwapasa as police Inspector General, then this will be on HRDC agenda for another set of protests until he will resign.

Civil society organisations have been  lobbying Parliament to reject  Mwapasa, saying  his  appointment would compromise the independence of the security agency because he  is a ruling DPP sympathiser.

Commenting on the matter, governance expert Makhumbo Munthali told Nyasa Times that it doesn’t require one to be a political, legal or security analyst to appreciate how the Malawi Police Service has in recent times been deeply captured by the DPP under the watch of both Jose and Mwapatsa.

“It  would be a typical case of betrayal to public interest and indeed a reward for impunity if Malawi Parliament proceed to confirm Mwapatsa as IG,” Munthali said.

He said beyond the call for rejection of Mwapats,   it is important that Parliament prioritised reforms in the appointment of Inspector General of Police for posterity sake.

Munthali said Malawi needs an IG who is not only merit based appointed but also one who commands respect across political, social divide.

“Such an IG must not only be no-partisan but also seen to be  non partisan. The new IG will need- amongst his or her priorities invest tremendously in restoration of Police’s public image and trust.”

Looking back at the protests which started on Tuesday, Mtambo described them as a great success.

“Our enemies infiltrated the protests and caused violence so as to get an excuse from courts to ban the demos but they have failed,” said Mtambo.

Mtambo told protesters  that they will never allow police  to be part of security detail during demonstrations because he said they provoke protesters.

“We had a meeting on Wednesday morning with Lilongwe City Council officials. We told them the police  officers should not be available during demonstrations because people don’t want them them.

“As HRDC, we will not allow police officers to be part  of security. Our hope in provision of security is MDF (Malawi Defence Force),” said Mtambo.

He said dates for the next set of protests, if the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah does not resign and if Mwapasa is confirmed as IG, would be announced in due course together with the venue.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
38 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Charie
Charie
4 years ago

Iwe kadzipanga zakozo ife tili pambuyo pa malamulo basi

Charie
Charie
4 years ago

Ng’oma yolilitsa sikhalira kusweka,ufuse chilima anali ndi molaro osati gulu lakolo boma tu likungokupatsa ukemu otsutsa sakhala be ndi chikoka kuposa olamula . just wait for Court

Chizo
Chizo
4 years ago

To Mthambo If you represent Malawians, who gave you that power? Between you and Peter, whom should we follow? Do you want always to be against his decisions? Whom Malawians are you representing unless these young boys that you pay and feed for going to demonstrate? You manipulate these young malawians politically instead of teaching them what human rights are (do not teach them only the rights to demonstrate and to disobey the legitimate authorities). You have to think first for the interests of the country rather than political/regional ones. You have to think first about the consequences of your… Read more »

Mr Chani-Chani
Mr Chani-Chani
4 years ago

A HRDC atayambisa chipani ndingachivotere

Mavuto Lupwepwe
Mavuto Lupwepwe
4 years ago

Makhumbo Munthali kkkkkkkkkk that parrot analyst who repeats HRDC narrative always

Acapulco
Acapulco
4 years ago

Inu a HRDC, if you aim for absolute victory you risk suffering absolute defeat. Some of us have no problem with mwapasa or any senior officer chosen as IG. Zingogubani za Jane Ansah kwinako mupangisa aphungu kupanga zinthu under duress, creating a new sad precedent because dpp can also do the same some day some place and you won’t like it. Leave the MP approve or reject him as they see mwapasa.

THE BEAST FROM THE EAST
THE BEAST FROM THE EAST
4 years ago

So are there cadets in police camp ? what are they doing there? Who allowed them to be there?

Tuvitwana
Tuvitwana
4 years ago

THOSE WHO THINK HRDC ARE LED BY THE DEVIL ASK URSELVES WHY MCP LAWYER WAS ATTACKED, ASK WHY CADET MWAPASA WAS APPOINTED TO BE IG WHEN WE HAVE MANY deserving PROFESSIONALS IN THE POLICE.
OBVIOUSLY, WHEN YOU ARE DPP, YOU CAN’T LIKE HRDC PERIOD.

Charie
Charie
4 years ago

Mtambo osadanda iwe tikuphwetsa ufuse chilima za DPP.Jane asah wakulepherani pano mwayamba ya mwapasa shame black devils

Muhammad
4 years ago
Reply to  Charie

Where my country is going to? Where were HRDC when Muluzi was ruling? The time of Bingu? Why your matrix were so les??????

It’s just because they were slaughtering you kkkkkkk

So plz Mr President copy to your x brothers to quite this warawara HRDC

Charie
Charie
4 years ago
Reply to  Muhammad

Akufunika ma bullet

little jojo
little jojo
4 years ago

HRDC restaurant Menu:
STARTER: Removing Ansah and Mwapasa and other issues
MAIN COURSE: Removing DPP and ushering in MCP
DESERT : Receive positions in MCP government after work is done

Read previous post:
CSOs asked to engage men in women empowerment programmes

Governance, Gender, Justice and Development Centre (GGJDC) has urged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to actively engage men in implementation of...

Close