Expensive vehicle with no number plate abducting demonstration leaders
* A fundamental duty of government is to ensure that citizens can freely exercise their rights under the Constitution
* As Head of Mission jointly call on the State to uphold the rule of law, protect the people of Malawi and conduct an investigation into any incidents of violence
By Duncan Mlanjira
The Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Malawi has reacted to the brutal violence that took place yesterday in full view of the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) — with US Embassy Charge d’Affaires, Amy Diaz saying she was “sickened to see the violence against peaceful demonstrators by a group of armed assailants”.
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In a statement Diaz said: “What was particularly appalling was the failure of the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Defence Force to carry out their duties to protect their fellow citizens.
“A fundamental duty of government is to ensure that citizens can freely exercise their rights under the Constitution.”
Meanwhile, the Heads of Diplomatic Missions in Malawi jointly also condemn the violence and call on the Government and Malawi’s State authorities “to uphold the rule of law, protect the people of Malawi and conduct an investigation into any incidents of violence”.
“Malawi’s security forces have a duty to uphold the right to freedom of assembly for all citizens,” says the Heads of Missions in their joint statement. “”We urge all Malawian to respect the right to assemble and demonstrate responsibly and peacefully.
“The right to freedom of assembly is enshrined in Malawi’s Constitution, protected under international human rights law and is the cornerstone of Malawi’s open and democratic society.
“As long-standing partners and friends of Malawi, we are troubled by reports that illustrate a trend of violence during peaceful and lawful demonstrations in Malawi’s cities.”
The Diplomatic Missions are European Union, Embassies of the Federal Republic of Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, The Royal Nowergean, the United States and the British High Commission.
Meanwhile, several members of the public have identified some of the panga-wielding perpetrators of the brutal violence that terrorised a peaceful demonstration organised by Citizens for Credible Elections in Lilongwe.
They were caught on camera carrying out their act savagery in full view of the Police and the MDF who were supposedly providing security to the demonstrators.
Identified as Nerson
One caught manhandling a demonstrator in full of the law enforcement officers, has been identified as Nerson, a bouncer at Illusions Bar in Lilongwe and he is also dressed in military regalia, which has just been banned by Minister of Homeland Security, Ezekiel Ching’oma just a day previously.
The same individual is also suspected to be carrying a firearm, which has been detected on his trousers’ back pocket, yet possession of guns in public gatherings ahead of September 16 elections has been banned by electoral law as announced by Malawi Electoral Commission on Monday.
Identified as Mkasa operating along Devil Street
One other individual has been identified as Mkasa, a mobile phone repairman operating along Devil Street with full direction to where he operates at his shop, hinting to the police that these can lead to gang leaders and possible financiers of this political terrorism shaking the Capital City in recent times.
The swift coordination, in which the violence perpetrators are using of expensive cars — coupled that none is being arrested for the crimes against innocent demonstrators— generate suspicion on the public that they are funded by high ranking individuals.
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