By Mawa Kumaliwopa
Calls are growing louder across Malawi for no bail for embattled political heavyweight Richard Chimwendo Banda, with critics insisting that justice must not bow to power, party colours or political intimidation.
Angry citizens and civil society voices say Chimwendo does not deserve special treatment, arguing that granting him bail would send a dangerous message that political elites are above the law while ordinary Malawians rot in cells for far lesser offences.
“This is not about politics, it is about crime and accountability,” said one Lilongwe-based activist. “If Chimwendo has nothing to hide, let him face the full force of the law like any other suspect.”
Critics accuse the political class of weaponising courts through bail applications, injunctions and delays to escape accountability, while victims are left without justice. They argue that bail has become a shield for the powerful, not a constitutional safeguard.
Legal analysts note that bail is not automatic, especially where the accused is influential, has the capacity to interfere with investigations, intimidate witnesses or destabilise public order. In Chimwendo’s case, opponents argue all these risks are present.
“Granting bail here would undermine public confidence in the justice system,” said a governance expert. “Malawi cannot continue operating two justice systems – one for the poor and another for political kingpins.”
On the streets and online, the message is blunt: no deals, no shortcuts, no sacred cows. Protesters warn that releasing Chimwendo could inflame tensions and deepen perceptions that the rule of law only applies to the powerless.
As pressure mounts, Malawians are watching closely to see whether the courts will stand firm or once again blink under political pressure.
For many, this case is bigger than Chimwendo. It is a test of whether Malawi truly believes in justice, equality before the law, and accountability — or whether power still buys freedom.
