HRDC women desk drag police to court over Msundwe sexual violence

Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) women wing  says it is dragging the Malawi Police Service to court after its failure to arrest and prosecute officers named as suspects  who allegedly raped women in and around Msundwe area along the Lilongwe-Mchinji Road in October last year.

Barbra Banda: Demand justice
A group of women from Msundwe are accusing police of sexual violence.-Photo by Lameck Masina, VOA

Barbara Banda, women coordinator for HRDC  and also  chairperson of the NGO Gender Coordination Network, said the five-day ultimatum which coalition gave the police to act has elapsed.

“We have no option now but go to the court so that these police officers are prosecuted and justice is done,” said Banda.

Police spokesperson James Kadadzera asked for more time before commenting on the issue.

Meanwhile, the Women Lawyers Association, which has been offering free legal assistance to the victims, says its preparations for court documents over the dragging of the Malawi Police Service over the Msundwe saga is almost complete.

An official said the association would any day be going to the court to force those officers who raped the women in Msundwe face the law.

Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) investigation established that some police officers raped and sexually abused 17 women on October 9 last year at Mpingu and M’bwatalika trading centres around Msundwe in Lilongwe.

In its report, MHRC said it established that police officers raped 13 women, defiled one girl and sexually-assaulted three under-18 girls during their October 8 2019 operation around the area.

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GODFREEY NANTALI
4 years ago

Kodi amene anagwiridwa akanakhala amayi ako kapena chemwaliako ukanamva bwanji Galu iwe, iwe ndi mbuzi yamunthu, unaberekapo iwe, iwe Fisi eti,

Kala
Kala
4 years ago

These are very beautiful ladies inenso sindingawasiye.mtambo ndi Trumpant kaya treee mu pants sangawasuye awa. To ma local tanwino.chonde anene angakhale ndi numbeya yawo andawile pa zodiac .com

Mulopwana
Mulopwana
4 years ago

What is Women Lawyers Association going to achieve? Take HRDC to court for the death of Police Officer first and then come up later with your childish idea of suing Malawi Police Service

chipwika
chipwika
4 years ago

This is good move by the women to help other helpless women, especially now that the champion of He for She has failed to help these women. However, the reporter needed to be sensitive by blurring the faces of victims. Revelation of their identities expose the already traumatized victims to more discrimination.

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