By Suleman Chitera
Lilongwe — In a statement that has raised eyebrows and sparked public debate, Deputy Minister of Homeland Security Norman Chisale has told inmates at Maula Prison to prepare for an influx of high-profile visitors starting January 2 next year.
Addressing inmates during a festive visit, Chisale issued a blunt and direct message, stressing discipline and order ahead of the anticipated visits.
“Important visitors—not children—are coming from January 2, and you must receive them well, just as you did with me,” Chisale told the inmates.
The remarks were made during a Christmas-season outreach visit organised by Tadikira Mafubza Mutharika, son to the country’s President, a move that has further drawn public attention to the event and its implications.
While authorities have not disclosed the identities or purpose of the expected visitors, Chisale’s choice of words has ignited speculation about the nature of the visits and the level of importance attached to them. His emphasis that the visitors are “not children” but “important people” has left many questioning whether the prison is preparing for inspections, political visits, or other sensitive engagements
.Critics argue that the statement underscores the politicisation of public institutions, including correctional facilities, while others say it reflects routine preparations for official visits. However, the lack of transparency surrounding the visitors has fueled concern among governance watchdogs and civil society groups
.Maula Prison, one of Malawi’s most overcrowded correctional facilities, has long been under scrutiny for poor living conditions, congestion, and limited resources. Observers say that if high-ranking officials are indeed expected, the visit should go beyond ceremony and address long-standing welfare and human rights issues affecting inmates
As January 2 approaches, the nation watches closely—waiting to see who the “important visitors” are, why they are coming, and whether their presence will bring meaningful change or simply political symbolism behind prison walls.
