By Suleman Chitera
In Malawi, justice does not walk with everybody. It drives in expensive cars for the rich, and walks barefoot for the poor.
In a small township on the outskirts of Blantyre lived Patrick, a 27-year-old bicycle taxi rider. His hands were rough from hard work. His pockets were always empty. One night, after going two days without food, hunger drove him to steal a small packet of maize flour from a shop.
He was caught.
The police beat him. They called him a thief. They dragged him like an animal into a van. No one asked why he was hungry. No one asked about his family. Patrick was thrown into a crowded cell, given no blanket, no food and no hope.
He stayed in prison for six months without trial.
No lawyer. No mercy. No justice.
At the same time, in the clean, air-conditioned offices of Lilongwe, a powerful businessman named Mr. Chirwa was accused of stealing millions of kwacha meant for hospital drugs and school materials.
Children died in hospitals because there were no medicines. Students sat on the floor because there were no desks.
But Mr. Chirwa?
He walked free.
He arrived at court in a luxury car. His lawyers spoke English the court respected. The magistrate smiled politely. He was granted bail the same day. The police escorted him respectfully to his home.
Patrick slept on a cold prison floor.
Mr. Chirwa slept on a soft bed.
Patrick’s crime? Hunger.
Mr. Chirwa’s crime? Greed.
In Malawi, the poor are treated like criminals before they are proven guilty. The rich are treated like victims even when they steal from the nation.
Street vendors rot in jail for selling goods without licenses. Young men are locked up for stealing a chicken. But those who steal hospitals, schools and public money walk free, protected by money and power.
This is not justice.
This is cruelty.
And the people are tired.
They ask in whispers and in anger:
“Who will save us from a system that protects the rich and punishes the poor?”
Until the courts stop bowing to wealth, and the police stop serving power instead of people, justice in Malawi will remain a privilege — not a right.
