Police arrests HRDC leaders

Malawi police service MPS has arrested two leaders of Human Rights Defenders Coalition HRDC Gift Trapence and Macdonald Sembereka for calling on Malawians to seal off state residences.

The arrest happened hours after president Mutharika and some DPP officials warned HRDC leaders at a joint DPP-UDF rally held at Njamba Freedom Park in Blantyre.

A statement signed by MPS spokesperson James Kadadzera, the suspects breached section 103 of the police Act which prohibits any demonstrations or assemblies within a hundred metres from state residences unless the same have been permitted by the state president.

“Malawi Police Service has obtained a warrant of arrest against three leaders of Human Rights Defenders Coalition in relation to statements made during their press briefing at Cross Roads Hotel in Lilongwe on 6th March 2020,” says Kadadzera

He further says section 124 of the penal code prohibits any person to incite or solicit another to break any law.

Meanwhile, Malawi Congress Party MCP demands president Mutharika to release HRDC leaders immediately.

In a statement president of MCP Dr Lazarus Chakwera says if Mutharika fails to do so in 48 hours he will galvanize peace loving and law abiding Malawians to march to state house and camp there.

Chakwera says Mutharika has breached several provisions of the constitution.

“Police has not arrested Mutharika’s supporters for protesting but he threatens supporters of other parties and orders the arrest of activists for wanting to exercise the same,'” he says

Chakwera stresses that selective and partisan application of rights is unacceptable.

Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network has also called for the immediate release of HRDC leaders.