Events continue to unfold following the arrest of 15 suspects who are answering charges of acts of political violence that occurred in multiple districts prior to the 16th September 2025 general elections.
The suspects are appearing before the magistrate court in Lilongwe where they have been re-arrested by the police soon after being granted court bail.
However, the Malawi Congress Party MCP condemns the arrests saying are politically influenced, calling on civil society organizations to intervene on the matter.
In a latest statement, the MCP has described the situation as worrisome, saying the suspects deserve fair trial free from political interference.
Meanwhile, Political commentator Ceaser Kondowe has urged the party to desist from making comments on the matter that is still in court, by allowing the justice processes be completed, asking the party to comment after the court’s verdict.
Kondowe believes that comments from the party might compel the public to perceive that the party was involved in supporting panga-wielding individuals who threatened the public safety in the country.
He says the MCP regime failed to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the vice when they had all the powers, saying denouncing the arrests by the police now does not make any sense.
“I suggest that it is high time that MCP should be happy that the police that failed to arrest the individuals during the time of public security lapse have made efforts to trace them, unlike what they are saying condemning the arrest,” Kondowe said.
During the period prior to the campaign window for the 2025 general elections, the country witnessed series of political violence where individuals wearing face masks and carrying panga knives humiliated peaceful demonstrators in Lilongwe and set ablaze vehicles and properties belonging to the organizers.
The similar case also occurred in Dowa district where one vehicle was burnt to ashes when DPP officials were coming from a political rally in Ntchisi.
Several human rights defenders from both local and international community including the office of the US Embassy in Malawi condemned the acts saying were contravening with freedom of expression and speech enshrined in the country’s constitution and international human rights frameworks.
