The Nyahbinghi National Council (NNC) of Malawi has strongly condemned the killing of Jeremiah Maluwa, a 45-year-old Rastafarian, by police officers in Salima District on Saturday, 7th December 2024.
The incident, which occurred at Chipoka as Maluwa was returning to Golomoti from his home village in Bitchayi, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed accusations of systemic discrimination and police brutality against the Rastafarian community.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that Maluwa was unarmed and posed no threat to the officers at the time of the shooting. Reports also confirm that he was not in possession of any prohibited substances, raising serious questions about the conduct of the police involved.
Speaking on behalf of the NNC, Chairperson Ras Free I Mdutu described the killing as a senseless and unjustifiable violation of Maluwa’s fundamental human rights.
“This is not just about Jeremiah Maluwa,” Mdutu said. “This is about a pattern of harassment and brutality targeting the Rastafarian community. From Evison Matale to Elder Dumbo, we have seen our members lose their lives in similar circumstances. We feel this is systematic.”
Mdutu highlighted that beyond police brutality, Rastafarians in Malawi face persistent discrimination in multiple areas of life. “Our children are often denied their basic right to education because of their dreadlocks, which are a symbol of our faith,” he explained. “In workplaces, many of us face exclusion simply because of our beliefs and appearance. These injustices must end.”
The Nyahbinghi National Council has called for a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Maluwa’s death, demanding that those responsible be held accountable. The Council has also urged the government to take immediate action to address systemic discrimination against Rastafarians and ensure greater accountability within the Malawi Police Service.
In their press release, the NNC described the targeting of Rastafarians as part of a broader pattern of injustice, pointing out that members of their community are routinely harassed for using cannabis, despite it being a legal plant in Malawi.
“We constantly get harassed for using herbs such as cannabis, even though it is a legal plant in this country,” Mdutu said. “We are ordinary citizens contributing to the nation, and our rights must be respected.”
The Council also made an appeal to human rights organizations and the broader public to stand in solidarity with the Rastafarian community and support their quest for justice. “We are not asking for special treatment; we are simply demanding that our rights, as enshrined in the Constitution of Malawi, be upheld,” said Mdutu.
In addition, the NNC called on well-wishing organizations to assist in uncovering the truth surrounding Maluwa’s death and in advocating for systemic reforms to protect the rights of marginalized groups.
The Rastafarian community remains united in mourning the loss of Jeremiah Maluwa and is resolute in its commitment to seeking justice for him and others who have suffered similar abuses. “This is a fight for all Malawians,” said Mdutu. “Because as long as one group’s rights are trampled, none of us are truly free.”
