By Burnett Munthali
Lilongwe, Malawi – The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Directorate of Women has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the brutal attack on Hon. Brenda Saidi, Deputy National Director of Women, by state security forces. The incident occurred on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Area 3 Police Station in Lilongwe, where Hon. Saidi had gone to offer support to Hon. Alfred Gangata, the DPP Vice President for the Central Region, who was arrested the previous day.
According to the statement signed by Hon. Mary Thom Navicha MP, National Director of Women, Hon. Saidi was shot in the arm by police in what has been described as a deliberate act of violence against women leaders in opposition politics.
The Directorate of Women expressed deep disappointment and outrage over what it termed as “brutal and draconian conduct” by the Malawi Police Service. The statement criticized the police for failing to uphold their mandate to protect citizens, especially during a critical election year as the nation prepares to vote on September 16, 2025.
“This incident is a grim reminder of the Malawi Congress Party’s (MCP) longstanding history of disrespecting and attacking women who oppose their political agenda,” the statement read.
The DPP drew parallels between this recent incident and the abuses faced by women during the MCP’s one-party era. The Directorate alleged that women who refused to align with MCP’s political programs, such as participating in Mbumba or attending political rallies, were historically subjected to inhumane treatment, including public beatings and community banishments.
The DPP has called on law enforcement officers to adhere to their professional code of ethics and the rule of law, even as they execute instructions from political leaders.
The statement further urged Malawians, especially women, to rise above fear and resist what it described as “enemies of democracy.”
“We call upon all women and Malawians at large to rise above fear and face these enemies of democracy head-on, for Malawi belongs to us all, and there is no way we should live in fear in our own country,” said Hon. Navicha.
The Directorate expressed hope that the upcoming elections would mark a turning point for the nation. “Freedom is coming on 16 September 2025! Only seven months remaining!” the statement concluded, underscoring the DPP’s commitment to bringing change to Malawi.
As Hon. Brenda Saidi recovers from her injuries, the DPP’s statement highlights the escalating political tensions in the country and raises concerns about the treatment of opposition members ahead of the elections. The call for accountability and respect for human rights resonates as a powerful reminder of the need for fair and democratic governance in Malawi.
