Indian calls Malawi rights activist ‘a dog’ arrested

Malawi Police in Mzuzu  on Tuesday arrested a 32-year-old Indian national, Anand Mandivar for allegedly calling another person, a Malawian citizen, a  ‘dog’ in public.

The incident happened at Kentam Mall in Mzuzu where the two were seeking services from a mobile phone operator.

According to Mzuzu police spokesperson, Paul Tembo, the suspect did not want to join the queue but rather to bypass everyone.

The development angered those who were on the queue and one of the renowned human rights activist Happy Mhango who was among the group of people on the queue told the Indian national to respect the people who had queued.

“Don’t bypass the queue please. We are all the same. Everyone is in hurry. If you want, you then  need to ask for our permission. Not just going straight as if you have not found anyone here,” said Mhango.

While refusing to be on a queue, the Indian national called Mhango “a dog”.

After being tipped about the development, police rushed to the scene and arrested the suspect.

Police told Nyasa Times that the suspect has been charged with a case of using insulting language.

Mhango is chairperson for Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) in the North.