By Vincent Gunde
The Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ) has uncovers the identities of individuals behind the brutal attack on activist Sylvester Namiwa on 26th June, 2025 in Lilongwe, the attackers left him half-dead and this was done in full view of police and MDF officers.
Just as the previous brutal attacks, police are still investigating, this is a song which has been sung in the 5 years of President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and the MCP in office, these brutal attacks are reminding Malawians of several atrocities committed by the MCP during the reign of Kamuzu Banda.
Ever since these cases have been reported to police, the officers have not made any arrest to this day but they are investigating offenses committed verbally while the situation on the ground is zero, speaking for itself that police in Malawi are under the control of politicians of the ruling party in government.
Activist Namiwa was bloodied by allegedly MCP youth operatives armed with pangas and steel bars not masked their faces and they are visible of their identities dismissing police actions of investigating the case, as not true.
The PIJ has identified two men who were ring leaders and were in the forefront brutalizing Namiwa and these two men did not mask their faces and evidence has been collected of the said two attackers, their telephone numbers and residential areas.
Nelson Chipokosa and Steve Kadammanja have been identified by Malawians following the video footage which is circulating in various social media platforms and the two are behind deflating vehicles of opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) inside the Parliament premises.
It has also been alleged that these thugs are being sponsored by some MCP officials and a cabinet minister to be hacking, terrorizing, threatening and intimidating innocent people ahead of the 16th September, 2025 elections.
Further investigations by the PIJ, have revealed that these thugs are receiving payment before carrying out the attacks claiming that one, Chipokosa has benefited a lot with the job he is in that he has managed to construct a new house in Area 23- Lilongwe with money from political violence.
PIJ investigations, have confided with two cabinet ministers (names withheld) who have been collecting money from a group of ministers and party officials to sponsor youth operatives to disrupt opposition and activists planned demonstrations.
“They had a budget of about K70 million, the money was being collected by the ministers, the ring leaders from Mchesi who recruited people including street kids to attack the peaceful protesters,” said the source to PIJ.
The PIJ contacted MCP Publicity Secretary Dr. Jessie Kabwila who denied the party’s involvement in the violence demanded proof arguing that this is an election year, people may just want to tarnish the party’s image.
“You know our office, we will be the first to root out the people from the MCP if your investigation points to us,” quoted Dr. Kabwila in the PIJ investigations.
