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Kambanje Blasts HRDC, Warns Against “Manufactured Pressure” on Mutharika

By Suleman Chitera

By Suleman Chitera

A political storm is brewing following sharp remarks by Kambanje, a leader of the Concerned Citizens grouping, who has launched a scathing attack on the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), accusing it of hypocrisy, selective activism, and attempting to manipulate public perception for political ends.

In strongly worded sentiments, Kambanje warned Malawians to remain vigilant and resist what he described as “calculated attempts” by HRDC to destabilize President Peter Mutharika (APM). He argued that the coalition is overstepping its mandate by exerting pressure on leadership without allowing due process to take its course.

At the center of the dispute is the controversial issue surrounding the alleged sale of the Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre. HRDC has reportedly called for decisive action, including the removal of certain ministers linked to the matter. However, Kambanje dismissed these calls as premature and reckless, stressing that investigations are still ongoing and must be allowed to conclude without interference.

“Justice cannot be driven by noise or activism,” Kambanje asserted. “We cannot replace institutions of governance with street pressure and expect fairness.”

He went further, accusing HRDC of maintaining a conspicuous silence during periods of acute hardship faced by ordinary Malawians. Kambanje pointed to times when citizens allegedly endured extreme poverty—surviving on wild foods, sleeping in unsafe conditions such as filling stations, and facing unexplained violence—questioning why the coalition did not demonstrate the same level of urgency and outrage then.

“This sudden activism raises serious questions about motive and consistency,” he argued. “Where was HRDC when people were crying out for help? Why now?”

Kambanje characterized the organization’s current posture as opportunistic, claiming it is designed to regain relevance and shape political narratives rather than genuinely defend public interest.

In a direct message to Mutharika, Kambanje urged the former leader to remain resolute and not succumb to what he termed “external pressure engineered by vested interests.” He alleged that certain actors are using HRDC as a vehicle to advance agendas that do not align with national progress.

“They want to drag this country backwards,” he said, warning against what he described as a coordinated effort to undermine stability and governance.

The remarks are likely to intensify an already polarized debate over the role of civil society in Malawi’s democratic space, particularly on issues of accountability, governance, and political neutrality. As tensions rise, all eyes remain on how both HRDC and political stakeholders will navigate the unfolding controversy.

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