By mawa Kumaliwopa
Only four months ago, Richard Chimwendo Banda appeared untouchable—operating with confidence under the protection of a powerful political shield. Today, the same state security agencies that once seemed reluctant to act are parading him as a suspect. The sudden turnaround has reignited debate about the true nature of justice and accountability in Malawi.
For many observers, this dramatic reversal is not necessarily a victory for the rule of law. Instead, it exposes a deeper and more troubling reality: Malawi’s law enforcement and oversight institutions are often perceived as instruments that switch on or off depending on political convenience.
Analysts argue that the issue is not accountability itself, but selective accountability—a system where investigations accelerate or stall based on who holds power at a given moment. When individuals are politically relevant, allegations are ignored, delayed, or quietly buried. When that relevance fades, the same cases are dusted off and pursued with sudden urgency.
“This is why Malawians struggle to trust state institutions,” said one governance expert. “Justice should not depend on political seasons. The law must apply consistently, regardless of who is in favour or out of favour.”
The Chimwendo Banda case has therefore become symbolic of a wider governance crisis. It raises uncomfortable questions:
Why now? What changed? And how many other cases are lying dormant, waiting for the political winds to shift?
Civil society organisations have long warned that politicised law enforcement weakens democracy and entrenches impunity. When justice is seen as a weapon rather than a principle, public confidence erodes and institutions lose legitimacy.
Importantly, legal experts caution that being paraded as a suspect does not amount to guilt. Every accused person is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process. However, the timing and optics of such actions matter greatly in a politically charged environment.
The unfolding events serve as a stark reminder to those in power: authority is temporary, and political protection is an illusion. Today’s untouchable can quickly become tomorrow’s target. But beyond individual cases, Malawians are demanding something bigger—a system where the law is blind, consistent, and immune to political manipulation.
Until that happens, each high-profile arrest or prosecution will continue to be viewed not as justice served, but as politics at work.
