By Suleman Chitera
The Malawi Freedom Network has urged President-elect Arthur Peter Mutharika to pardon petty offenders and free up prison space for serious criminals, while demanding investigations into alleged corruption in the outgoing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) government.
MFN’s Appeal: Compassion for Petty Offenders
The Malawi Freedom Network (MFN) has appealed to President-elect Arthur Peter Mutharika to exercise presidential clemency and pardon offenders jailed for minor survival crimes.
The organisation highlighted common petty offences such as:
Stealing goats or chickens
Taking small amounts of maize or cassava
Other non-violent, low-value theftsCAMW Congratulates President-Elect Mutharika and Vice President-Elect Justice Jane Ansah
According to MFN, such prisoners should be released so that Malawi’s overcrowded prisons can focus on detaining serious criminals, including those guilty of violent crimes, organised theft, and large-scale corruption.
Malawi’s Prison Crisis
Malawi’s prison system has faced chronic overcrowding for decades, with some facilities holding more than double their intended capacity. Human rights groups, including the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) and Amnesty International, have documented poor living conditions, lack of food, and high rates of preventable diseases inside prisons.Cold War Brews in MCP After Endorsement of Vitumbiko Mumba as Running Mate
Studies show that many inmates are locked up for poverty-driven petty crimes, raising questions about justice and fairness. Presidential pardons — usually granted on Independence Day or Christmas — have previously been used as a tool to reduce congestion.
By urging Mutharika to pardon such offenders, MFN is appealing to a longstanding practice of targeted clemency, while highlighting the humanitarian need to decongest prisons.
Strong Accusations Against MCP
In addition to the call for pardons, the Malawi Freedom Network issued a stinging rebuke of the outgoing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) government.
The organisation alleges that:
The President himself, along with his family
Members of the MCP National Executive Committee (NEC)
Cabinet ministers and senior officials
Religious leaders and close associates
…have engaged in widespread plunder of state resources and amassed unexplained wealth during their time in office.
MFN is demanding a forensic audit into assets owned by these figures, the confiscation of ill-gotten wealth, and the imprisonment of those found guilty — not in ordinary prisons, but in hard-labor facilities.
Poverty and Hunger Tied to Corruption
According to MFN, corruption by powerful elites has crippled Malawi’s economy, fueling:
Mass poverty and rising inequality
Hunger and food insecurity, which have claimed lives
A decline in public services and infrastructure
The group argues that unless stolen wealth is recovered and justice served, Malawi will continue to suffer from cycles of poverty and dependency.
What This Means for President-Elect Mutharika
As Arthur Peter Mutharika prepares to take office, he faces two competing challenges:
- Justice Reform — ensuring fairness by pardoning or offering alternatives for those jailed for petty, survival-driven offences.
- Accountability at the Top — tackling corruption by investigating allegations against former government officials and recovering stolen wealth.
Balancing compassion for the powerless with firmness against the powerful could set the tone for Mutharika’s presidency and rebuild public trust in government institutions.
Conclusion
The Malawi Freedom Network’s statement is a bold reminder that Malawians expect both mercy and justice. Mercy for the poor who are trapped in the justice system for minor crimes, and justice for the elites accused of bleeding the nation dry.
Whether President-elect Mutharika will act on these demands remains to be seen, but the call underscores the urgent need to address prison overcrowding, poverty-driven crime, and elite corruption in Malawi.
