Law Society rebukes DPP, condemns political interference in Malawi police
Malawi Law Society (MLS) has clarified that it is not backing police action in arresting human rights activist after political podium statement by President Peter Mutharika and top brass of the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), saying the conduct of the DPP reflects the political interference by the State in the operations of and lack of independence by the law enforcers.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) vice chairperson Gift Trapence and member Macdonald Sembereka were arrested on Sunday after Mutharika declared his patience with freedom of speech and political assembly is over.
HRDC chairperson Timothy Mtambo, who was in hiding, surrendered himself to police on Tuesday and was locked up in a cell.
In its statement signed by its president Burton Chidongondo Mhango and honorary secretary Martha Kaukonde, MLS said it unreservedly condemns the political interference in the operations of police and called on the law enforcers to release the rights activists and “act independently and professionally.”
The Law Society says it also strongly condemns the approach adopted by DPP leadership at Njamba Freedom Park rally on Sunday and calls upon all political players to avoid the “inflammatory language” as was used at the rally.
DPP Secretary General, Grizedar Jeffrey, was filmed warning Mtambo: “We want to warn you. Enough is enough. A female witch is more dangerous than a male wizard. When a female witch wants to deal with you, she will simply kill you.”
MLS has since clarified that it is not backing police action over the arrest of the rights activists.
The lawyers’ body said it does not defend arbitrary arrest.
“The Law Society reiterates the call for Malawi Police Service to act professionally and independent of the interference of any person as required by the law,” reads the MLS statement.
MLS furthers reiterates its earlier calls to all citizens that wish to exercise their rights to do so “within the confines of the law.”
In its statement, MLS has appealed to all stakeholders to respect the February 3 judgement of the High Court until the matter is dealt by the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal where first respondent President Peter Mutharika and second respondent Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) have since appealed.
Meanwhile, Civicus, the global alliance of civil society organisations and Front Line Defenders, an international human rights organisation, have added their voices to the chorus calling for for the immediate release of human rights defenders in Malawi.
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MLS members need to wake up before the Society becomes irrelevant to society due to certain individuals within the Society such as a Mr Mhango who will send the Society into oblivion due to their careless utterances in their course of boot licking.
Gogo Squatter will soon be kicked out of state house.
amai nawonso kwakoza mau
If the acting leader of the country and major custodian of the constitution, himself a law expert on this matter, tells on a political platform, on a DDP rally: His patients for fundamental rights like freedom of speech and political assembly is over, than you as a MLS should do more than just giving press statements!
This is a “Disorganized Society”. The problem could be Leadership crisis.
A bakha ndi abakha sazatheka
Poor leadership at Malawi Law Society,This president so called Burton Mhango is such an empty vessel
That’s Mutharika’s tactics to silence all critics of his barbaric and corrupt regim. If God is for us, who can be against us? God raises kings to their thrones and brings them down when they are proud and pompus! Someone is about to face God’s chop!
Without Kaukonde, MLS is useless. With the cadet Mhango at the helm this society will becomes irrelevant soon
Gelezida nzeru alibe Ana achamba awa. Za ufiti za chimodzi. Mpaka pano hip hop imeneyi akanasewelabe? Hahahhaha
Malawi “Low” Society. The current executive committee members ndi mbuzi za manu kunsi. You are damaging the reputation of this society. The ladies society is millions miles better than you guys.
Komanso nde nzeru zinawanthera bwanji
Nzeru zabweramo tsopano mmene ntchito yathamu.
Government of witches, wizards and nalikukuti
We see a hand of hugs influencing Malawi Law Society. But as MLS statement says, the truth will remain – Mtambo needs to be arrested and the police has to act professionally and indepedently.
So why did you make the earlier statement that you are now struggling to walk back? Control the statements that you make as MLS. and censure those cadets in your ranks.
Even that prayer yoti awona nyekhwe thats not the prayer that God can answer but Devil