NGO regulator bypasses current HRDC leader to summon ex-chairperson who already quit

The NGO Regulatory Authority (NGORA) has launched an aggressive push against the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), demanding the coalition account for its alleged failure to comply with the NGO Law — but bizarrely, has directed the demand at former chairperson Gift Trapence, despite the coalition now being led by Michael Kaiyatsa.

NGORA, the state-owned body responsible for registering and regulating NGOs and civil society organisations across Malawi, insists Trapence remains legally responsible for accountability over the coalition’s actions — a claim critics say ignores the reality that Trapence resigned from the role back in November last year, after six years at the helm.

The regulator accuses HRDC of breaching several requirements under the NGO Law, including a failure to submit annual reports, casting doubt over the coalition’s compliance and moral standing.

Rather than inviting current chairperson Kaiyatsa, NGORA has instead summoned Trapence to a meeting scheduled for Thursday, 3 September 2026, to explain the alleged breaches.

The invitation letter, dated 31 August 2026 and signed by NGORA Chief Executive Officer Voice Mhone, reads in part: “Pursuant to the principles of natural justice, you as Chairperson of HRDC, accompanied by your National Coordinator Kelvin Chirwa, are hereby invited to a meeting to discuss matters regarding your non-compliance with the NGO (Amendment) Act 2022.”

The bizarre invitation comes amid an already messy and unresolved leadership dispute within HRDC.

Trapence stepped down in November last year, handing the chairmanship to Kaiyatsa, who also serves as Executive Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation.

Trouble flared again in February 2026, when members from different regions challenged the coalition’s failure to hold an Annual General Meeting since 2019, questioning the legitimacy of Kaiyatsa’s provisional leadership altogether.

The internal dispute escalated further into the courts, with an HRDC ad hoc committee led by Henderson Mhango taking the coalition’s leadership to court on 27 April 2026, seeking judicial intervention.

Confusion deepened following High Court proceedings on 23 July 2026, with rival factions offering starkly different interpretations of the ruling — disagreeing publicly over whether the court had rejected the challenge to Kaiyatsa’s leadership outright, or simply identified governance gaps requiring mediation.

Defending its decision to bypass Kaiyatsa entirely, NGORA insisted its approach was intended purely to bring clarity to an already murky situation.

“Our position does not contradict the court but it brings administrative clarity on who is responsible to implement the Law,” the regulator said in a statement.

Trapence, for his part, is understood to no longer be involved in HRDC’s activities in any capacity.