Opposition leader Nankhumwa visits detained rights activist Namiwa at Lilongwe Police

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa on Thursday August 12, 2021 visited the Executive Director of Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), Sylvester Namiwa who is being detained at Lilongwe Police.

Namiwa was arrested at Parliament Building in Lilongwe while he led a peaceful vigil there to call upon Parliament to explain the mist surrounding the controversial Loan Authorization Bill that was allegedly ‘smuggled’ onto the Order Paper for discussion by Members of Parliament (MPs) last month.

Nankhumwa said he was appalled by the government’s conduct, saying civil rights activists ought to be given space to operate freely according to the dictates of democracy.

Namiwa and 11 others were arrested have been charged with conduct likely to cause the breach of peace.

Nankhumwa said he felt obliged to visit Namiwa because as a member of parliamentary leadership.

“In their petition, they demanded that the leadership of Parliament be accountable for some issues and I thought in my own right, as a leader, I should come here and see him,” said Nankhumwa.

He said he found Namiwa in jovial mood and robust health. He said Namiwa informed him he was waiting for the police to advise him when he would be taken to court.

The opposition leader bemoaned the manner in which the rights activist was arrested by plain-clothed policemen and bundled in a civilian vehicle. He said Malawians need to ascertain whether that was the right manner of arresting people.

“That kind of arrest has no place in democratic Malawi. I demand an investigation to establish if the people who arrested Mr Namiwa were indeed policemen,” he said.

In a separate interview, with Nyasa Times, Nankhumwa said the arrest is a classic example of a government using excessive force against Malawians who are exercising their democratic rights to demand transparency and accountability from duty-bearers.

“I wish to remind President Lazarus Chakwera and the Tonse Alliance Government that Malawians are now living in a democracy, which they gallantly fought for in 1993 and 1994.

“Malawians are not ready to give up their democratic rights and freedoms at the whims of a few power-hungry politicians, who would like to consolidate their dynasty through corruption, intimidation, physical attacks and politically-motivated arrests,” said Nankhumwa who is also opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for the South.

In a recorded message, Namiwa encouraged Malawians not to blink but continue safeguard Malawi’s hard-won democracy, saying the battle has just began.

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Dalitso chirimba
2 years ago

Nawe Nankhumwa tangobweza ndalama za covid unaba za fuel zija pomwe parliament inkakupatsanso fuel.
As for this guy he got what he deserves, a day in court and aziyenda ndi bail mthumba.
If he was really a democrat and true human rights defender he should have been knowledgeable enough that Malawi is governed by rule of law and proceeded to court to challenge the restriction from LL council koma paja ma cadet you always believe in arnachy that’s why he took matters into his own hands.

Tondoloshi
Tondoloshi
2 years ago

Anankhumwa mwamulakwitsa Nzanu. Muthandizeni atuluke nanga mesa munamutuma ndinu kuti akapange virgil

nsabwe
nsabwe
2 years ago
Reply to  Tondoloshi

Kuphooza JoJo malemynya.
Attention seeker kuona ngati buggy wa DPP. Anyway batsutsani mpaka 2099. Go

laws
laws
2 years ago

our souls are with you

Moroko
Moroko
2 years ago

Ndipamene tiziwire kuti bungweli Ndila dpp komanso amatumidwa

My Opinion
My Opinion
2 years ago

Was wondering who is behind this stupid kana! so its Hon Nankhumwa and the family?

Assange WikiLeaks
2 years ago

Mwini galu wapezeka.

Nepotism
2 years ago

20 pple were killed in Mzuzu by dpp stop ur nosense

Banda
Banda
2 years ago

Did not see excessive forced used in any video but feel if they were protesting peacefully MPS should have let them alone

Hawell
2 years ago

Chakwera and his leadership should be awake! Mtambo including himself(Lazarus and Chilima) went to strrets during APM regime but none was arrested and tortured. And if this is not enough him Chakwera and Chilima said Police should not use force why now is he trying to use the same what he condemned then? this is total hypocrisy but Malawians are watching and are good judges come 2025 we have never seen thieves like these ever before and they should go!!!!!

Chigo
Chigo
2 years ago

Amene anamutuma adziwika ndi amenewa ,Mwamupwetekesa munthu.

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