By Staff Writer:
President Lazarus Chakwera has condemned the alleged abduction of vocal human rights activist Sylvester Namiwa who heads the Centre for Economic Initiative and Development (CDEDI).
It is alleged that Namiwa was abducted by unknown assailants driving an unregistered vehicle around Mtunthama round about in area 3 Lilongwe few minutes after he had finished addressing a media briefing in Lilongwe where he was confirming plans to hold nationwide demonstrations on Thursday morning.
In a statement signed by Presidential Press Secretary Antony Kasunda, Chakwera has called for the speedy investigation into the alleged abduction of Namiwa.
“The President is disturbed by the alleged abduction of Mr Sylvester Namiwa on Wednesday July 27 by unknown people.
The alleged abduction is against one of Chakwera’s SUPER Hi5 which is rule of law. The President remains resolute in his commitment to fight any forces challenging government efforts to keep Malawi a free society in which every citizen enjoys their rights as enshrined in the constitution of the republic of Malawi.
“The President, therefore, condemns the lawless act and calls upon the Malawi police service and other law enforcement agencies to speed up investigations into the matter until Mr Namiwa’s safety is restored, his captors are brought to justice, and Malawians are informed of the truth regarding his alleged abduction,” reads the statement.
Namiwa was on Thursday set to lead nationwide demonstrations aimed at forcing Chakwera to trim his presidential powers by among other things allowing the president to be prosecuted in the event of suspected violation of the law.
