By Burnett Munthali
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Director of Youth, Norman Chisale, has expressed deep concern over the Malawi Police Service’s delay in concluding investigations into the violent incidents that took place at Mbowe in Lilongwe earlier this year. The February attack, which left several DPP members injured, has been a subject of ongoing scrutiny, but eight months later, no conclusive action has been taken by the authorities.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe, Chisale described the delay as “worrisome” and questioned the commitment of the police to ensuring justice for the victims. He criticized the Malawi Police Service for dragging its feet on the matter, despite the DPP having submitted the names of those allegedly responsible for the attack. Chisale stressed that the party had cooperated fully with law enforcement agencies by providing the necessary information, including names of suspects involved in the violence, but was yet to see meaningful progress.
“It is unacceptable that, eight months after this violent attack on our members, the police are still silent on the matter. We have been patient and fully cooperated with the authorities, submitting names and details of those who participated in the violence. We are demanding that the Inspector General of Police takes immediate action,” Chisale said.
The February violence at Mbowe, which occurred during a DPP political gathering, resulted in injuries to several party supporters. The incident, believed to have been politically motivated, has since sparked calls for stronger action against political violence in the country. Opposition parties and civil society organizations have repeatedly criticized the government for what they view as selective justice when it comes to prosecuting perpetrators of violence, particularly when victims are members of the opposition.
Norman Chisale further noted that the DPP has now given the Inspector General of Police two days to address the issue. The party insists that the police should provide an update on the progress of the investigation or take immediate steps to apprehend the suspects, whom Chisale claims are known to the authorities.
“We cannot allow this culture of impunity to continue. Political violence must be condemned and punished, regardless of which party the victims or the perpetrators belong to. The DPP has done its part by submitting the names of the culprits, and now we expect the police to do theirs. We are giving the Inspector General two days to take action, or we will be forced to escalate this matter through legal means,” Chisale warned.
The delay in resolving this case has reignited concerns about the impartiality of the Malawi Police Service, with some DPP members accusing the authorities of deliberately stalling the investigation to shield the perpetrators, who are believed to be affiliated with the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
While the police have yet to comment on the matter, public frustration is growing over the lack of transparency and progress in this and other politically motivated cases. Political violence has been a persistent problem in Malawi, and incidents such as the Mbowe attack have further deepened political divisions.
Civil society organizations have also weighed in on the matter, urging the police to expedite the investigation and ensure that justice is served. “Political violence threatens our democracy. It is imperative that law enforcement agencies act swiftly to investigate and prosecute those responsible,” said a spokesperson for the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR).
As the deadline approaches for the Inspector General to respond to the DPP’s demands, the country waits to see if this case will finally be resolved, or if it will become yet another example of the challenges Malawi faces in dealing with political violence and selective justice.
Burnett Munthali is a political analyst and writer for Maravi Post, focusing on legal and political developments in Malawi.
