By Burnett Munthali
The actions of the Malawi Police Service have once again left a stain on our nation’s conscience, and this time the wound is deeper than ever. The use of live bullets on Hon. Brenda Saidi, the National Deputy Director of Women for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), is an act of barbarism that must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. This heinous act, which took place in Area 3 as police officers violently dispersed DPP supporters, is a blatant abuse of power and a shocking violation of human rights.
As I write this, Hon. Brenda Saidi lies in a hospital bed at Kamuzu Central Hospital, her life hanging by a thread. She is not just another victim of police brutality; she is a symbol of what has gone wrong in Malawi. The police, an institution meant to safeguard lives and property, has turned into an oppressive force that uses violence as its language and terror as its tool.
The use of live ammunition in crowd control is not only excessive but also illegal. Tear gas, batons, and other non-lethal means are already controversial when used indiscriminately, but the deployment of live bullets crosses all boundaries of reason and humanity. What were the officers thinking? Who gave the command? And who will be held accountable?
These are questions that demand answers, but in Malawi, the reality is often bleak. Incidents of police brutality rarely lead to justice, especially when the victims are members of the opposition or ordinary citizens with no political power. The police, emboldened by a culture of impunity, continue to operate as if they are above the law.
This is not the first time the police have resorted to violence to suppress opposition voices. Time and again, we have witnessed the excessive use of force during political rallies, protests, and even peaceful gatherings. The actions of the police are no longer about maintaining law and order; they are about protecting the interests of those in power.
The attack on Hon. Brenda Saidi is not just an attack on an individual; it is an attack on democracy itself. In a democratic society, political leaders and their supporters should be free to express their views without fear of violence or intimidation. The police’s actions in Area 3 send a chilling message: dissent will not be tolerated, and those who oppose the government will be silenced by any means necessary.
This level of political bias within the police force is unacceptable. The police are supposed to serve all Malawians equally, regardless of political affiliation. Instead, they have become a tool for the ruling elite to suppress opposition voices. This is a dangerous path that threatens to destabilize our nation and undermine the very foundations of our democracy.
One of the most frustrating aspects of this incident is the lack of accountability. Will the officers responsible for this act of brutality face justice? Or will this be yet another case swept under the rug, forgotten as soon as the headlines fade?
The government must take immediate action to address this issue. An independent investigation must be launched to determine who ordered the use of live bullets and to hold those responsible accountable. Anything less would be a betrayal of the Malawian people and a green light for further abuses.
President Lazarus Chakwera and his administration cannot remain silent on this issue. It is under their leadership that the police have become increasingly emboldened to act with impunity. The president must publicly condemn the actions of the police and take concrete steps to reform the institution.
Failure to address this issue will only fuel public anger and deepen the mistrust between citizens and the police. It will also reinforce the perception that the government is complicit in these acts of violence.
As Malawians, we cannot afford to remain silent. This is not just a DPP issue; it is a national issue. Police brutality affects all of us, regardless of political affiliation. We must demand justice for Hon. Brenda Saidi and all victims of police violence.
Civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and ordinary citizens must come together to demand accountability and reform. We must send a clear message to the government and the police: enough is enough.
The actions of the Malawi Police Service in Area 3 are a disgrace to our nation. They have shown us that they are not protectors of the people but oppressors who wield violence as their weapon of choice.
Hon. Brenda Saidi’s life may never be the same, but her suffering must not be in vain. Let her ordeal serve as a wake-up call for all Malawians. Let it galvanize us to fight for a police service that serves and protects, not one that maims and oppresses.
Justice for Hon. Brenda Saidi is justice for all of us. Let us not rest until it is achieved.
