UTM calls for unconditional release of Kabwila: ‘She has not committed any crime’
UTM Party has come out strongly, spitting fire over the arrest of one of its national executive committee members Jessie Kabwila, calling for her immediate and unconditional release.
Party spokesperson Joseph Chidanti Malunga says Kabwila has not committed any crime.
“…the Malawi Police Service should better focus on real criminals, some of whom are within its ranks,” says Malunga.
Kabwila was arrested over remarks she made during the recent Human Rights Defenders Coalition protest march in Lilongwe.
But Malunga has defended her, saying whatever she said, she was expressing her right to free expression.
“These acts of political intimidation belongs to a past that Malawians resolutely dealt with 25 years ago,” he said.
He said every Malawian must be allowed to hold and express an opinion as guaranteed by the Republican Constitution.
Kabwila was arrested Saturday in Lilongwe after a speech he made during demonstrations led by Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) seeking police action on reports that women in Msundwe were allegedly sexually abused by police.
In a statement which Nyasa Times has seen, the UTM says Kabwila was not supposed to be arrested because she has not committed any crime.
“Only the police officers who arrested her know the actual reasons for this deplorable action, but one can only speculate that it is simply for exercising her right to free expression in not being complimentary to the conduct of the Malawi Police Service,” reads part of the statement.
The UTM believes this is just adding to the record of the police of “harassing innocent citizens especially those who are against the DPP regime”
The party furthers says these acts were rejected by Malawians twenty five years ago when they voted for multiparty democracy and against one party rule.
“It is against this background that UTM calls for immediate and unconditional release of Ms. Jessie Kabwila. She has committed no crime,” the statement concludes.
In the speech, Kabwila said that the alleged rape victims should not worry as justice will soon be served to them and things will change for the better.
She said “pamalawi pano panunkha mphira wina akapereka chigamulo chachibwana chifukwa ife sitilora. Tinamva tokha mlandu umenewu pa radio (There will be chaos if someone will give a reckless judgement {to the presidential elections case}. We will not accept it. We already heard the case on the radio.”
This comes as different organizations including the National Initiative for Civic Education NICE Trust are preparing people’s minds to accept any outcome of the court.
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OMachemba, DPP came first through rigging, use of tippex and bribing of MEC and other means they employed to gain entrance to plot number 1, against the will of the majority of Malawians. Mbava zopanda manyazi chifukwa mzimu udatulukamo kale!
THIS WOMAN TALKS TOO MUCH AND HAS NO MORALS. ACTUALLY SHE IS A DISGRACE TO THE ACADEMIC FRATERNITY. SHE IS ALSO AN EYESORE.
That’s the problem when you’ve got a police force full of dunderheads.
Should be released with conditions that she must speak against violence at any five public schools within Malawi.
Kkkkkkk fire without simoke
Malawi Ndale zanu zopusa azibambo ogwililira azimayi aja kwa msundwe osamangidwa koma munthu osalakwa mukumumanga zinthu zopanda umboni kumukakamila a malawi changamukani nthawi yopanga ma jelasi siyani ndale zamangawa sizikutengelani kulikonse
I agree with Malunga that Kabwila was exercising her freedom of expression which is a right guaranteed in our constitution. Unfortunately Kabwila made an unacceptable careless statement. What Kabwila said amounts to judicial interference which is a case on its own for which she can be charged. Let the Judges do their work partially. As the members of the public who followed the case keenly, we have made our own judgements based on what we heard, but the learned people will be guided by laws – this makes a huge difference. Therefore public judgement may not be the same as the judicial judgement. Somehow, I feel MCP and UTM akupupuluma in their public speeches. They need to keep their cool. I was disappointed the other day when I heard Chakwere telling people at a rally that he will be a President of all Malawians. What did he mean by that when the court verdict has not been made yet? I am not surprised though to hear Kabwila express a similar sentiment, having the MCP background. Please stop kupupuluma otherwise people will begin sympathizing with your enemies who at the moment seem to be well disciplined by not saying anything related to the presidential court case. What you should know is that their quietness means a lot which may surprise the country. Remember how UTM performed during the election. This should be a big lesson to all of us.
How many times has the clue-less president Mutharika remarked that he ‘won fair and square’? (even as the case was going on!) and how is that any different from what Kabwila said??!! Or are you suggesting the clue-less Mutharika is above the law or in his case a different standard should be used to judge his remarks???!!!!
U so called Kapado I think u don’t follow politics very well or u have decided to blindfold one eye and ear, your called tippex president started it all, each time he addressed the rarry , he keep on telling us that he won this election and the opposition should accept defeat, is this not undermining judiciary verdict ????
Tell your so called Tippex president to shut his mouth as well and not interfere with court case.
Tell your corrupt individuals to stop their attempt to bribe the judges.
Voice of a dying horse
Amene amadziwa malamulo akudziwa kuti what she said ndi mulandu ndithu..
Koma vuto panopa amalawi chilichonse chalowa politics..
Kaya zanu izo tikuonerani kut zikutha bwanji izi
Comments by the cruel-less Mutharika that he won ‘fair and square free, transparent and credible elections’ (even as the case was going on!) are far more prejudicial and potentially could cause political violence, holding the position of state president with a huge following that is more inclined to commit political violence than Kabwila’s innocent utterances. Why are you not charging the president considering he has said this on several occasions and in-spite of the Courts admonitions?
He only quoted what election observers said! This is public knowledge that existed even before the court case commenced. He never said that he will not accept the outcome of the court case!
Foseki release her
You have failed to arrest those who are trying to bribe the Judges.
DPP Woye woye
It’s good to increase the price of passport kuti if tiziba bwino.
Mlopwana Woye
Cadet MUTOKOTOKO walowa MCP???so desperate for ka madef loan agalu inu mboli zanu
Ma savage a UTM amene akumulimbikisa Kabwila basi.
That Party is so desperate it accepted rejects and throwaways like Ms Kabwila; and it’s acting like it is a significant political force in this country.
Just a reminder: UTM’s “HARDtalk” Chilima came a distant (far) third in the Presidential elections. And his Party’s performance in the Parliamentary election was even more pathetic despite the leaders’ bravado. Empty bravado indeed; even still showing as exhibited by Ms Kabwila.
Kulibe fresh election.Pitala kumbuyo kwake kuli ma HYPOCRITE pazifukwa zosakomela amalawi
We are also receiving reports that Kabwira has been raped by two police officers in a police cell.
The mistake of recruiting the educated Muhlakho wa alomwe DPP cadets in our police force is now bearing fruits.
kkkk munthu odwala uja angamugwilile ndani?
Noadxa
Let her spend the 2nd Night in the Police Cell. Amene ali ndi mphamvu apite akamutulutsemotu tione ngati zingatheke. Amayiwa ananyanya kutambalala pakamwa nchifukwa chake MCP ife tinawaimitsa ku chipani kwathu. Mwamwayi anzathu a UTM poti iwo ndi Matolera anawalola kuwatenga ngati membala wao wa mkulu. Zomvetsa chisoni anthu akwawo ku Salima anawakananso kuti sangawaimilire iwo ku dera lao. Lero alibe chochita pa town. Nzosabwitsa kuti amapezeka paliponse pali zionetsero. Mayi chitani apply ku University mukayambe ntchito yauphunzitsi. I know chalk munachitsiya kalekale koma nanga mupanga bwanji. Uku ndikulira ndithu mayi
Frankly speaking iwe ndiwe Cadet and not MCP member U so called Mutokototoko. So don’t hide behind MCP now forsake.
Iwe ndiwa MCP, chipani chokupha?
Kulankhula kotereku Mulungu akukuonani. Mukufunika mzimu wa chidziwitso. Ntchito za apolice achimalawi mukuzidziwa ndipo ndi zoipa pamaso pa Mulungu. Iye ndi Mulungu wa nthawi Nkhanza zikuchitikazi akuona ndipo nkono wake ndi oopsya akautambasulu.Ndipo posachedwa ukantha oipa onse akuikira kumbuyo mnkhalidwe ozunza anzao
Ndikupempherera Mtundu wa aMalawi omwe ukuchitira nkhanza anzao munjira zosiyanasiyana kuti Mulungu awakanthe. He is a God of Justice. Ndipo sakhala pansi Chaka Chino. Holy Ghost Fire should consume each and every evil activities done by evil people in the country Malawi.
There is only one outcome. FRESH ELECTIONS. Thereafter prison for the fraudsters.
i doubt