By Chancy Namadzunda:
The Human rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has condemned the alleged abduction of Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa.
CDEDI Communications Manager Edwin Mauluka said was kidnapped by unknown people along the Mtunthama road, just immediately after holding a press conference in the city of Lilongwe on Wednesday, 27th July 2022, where the organization together with the concerned citizens and other stakeholders confirmed and announced their readiness for the nationwide demonstrations.
During the briefing the activists confirmed their planned nationwide demonstrations scheduled for tomorrow.
A statement signed by HRDC Chairperson Gift Trapance said they are deeply alarmed and disturbed by the alleged assault and abduction of Namiwa.
“As HRDC, we have no doubt that Mr. Namiwa’s alleged abduction is directly related to his direct involvement in organizing demonstrations and is aimed at harassing and intimidating him and his colleagues.
“The abduction of Mr Namiwa represents a serious violation of the right to freedom of expression as well as the right to assembly and association, as guaranteed by our constitution.
“The UN Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance stipulates the right to protection from abductions; as such HRDC expects the Malawi Police Service to quickly investigate the case and bring those responsible to justice.
“We also urge the Malawi Police Service to be updating Malawians timely on the progress of their investigations,” reads the statement
The protests, among others, are meant to force President Lazarus Chakwera to keep his promise of reducing Presidential powers and also to act on Section 91 (2) of the Constitution — to do away with the provision that protects the country’s President from criminal prosecution.
Mauluka said the suspected kidnappers were travelling using a vehicle without registration plates.
“The kidnapping of Mr. Namiwa has not come as a surprise, as he has on several occasions this week been pestered by the authorities from Area 30 Police Headquarters in Lilongwe, and the Lilongwe District Council, to attend some meetings whose agenda items were not clearly stated.
“Furthermore, Mr. Namiwa’s kidnapping has reminded all the well-meaning Malawians about how ruthlessness and barbaric the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is, and has brought back the old memories of darkness, kidnapping, killing and detention without trial.
“Currently, Mr. Namiwa has been taken to an unknown location, and it is not known as to whether he is still alive or not. The police at Area 3 in Lilongwe have been informed about this very unfortunate incident, and it is our hope that they will launch a serious search for the CDEDI Executive Director,” reads part of the statement which the organization released.
Lilongwe Police Station spokesperson Hastings Chigalu told the local media that they have received a report about the incident but could not comment more.
Meanwhile, the CDEDI has encouraged all Malawians of goodwill to patronize the nationwide demonstrations on Thursday 28th July 2022, in order to express their dissatisfaction with the level of insecurity in the country.
