More calls for Inspector General, Ezekiel Ching’oma firing

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More calls for Inspector General, Ezekiel Ching’oma firing
More calls for Inspector General, Ezekiel Ching’oma firing

Africa-Press – Malawi. ZIBA— Is the Malawi Police Service unable to identify perpetrators?Some civil Society organisations (CSOs) have resounded calls for President Lazarus Chakwera to fire Homeland Security Minister Ezekiel Ching’oma and Inspector General (IG) of Police Merlyne Yolamu for their alleged failure to protect Malawians during last Thursday’s demonstrations.

One of the CSOs, Youth and Society (Yas), has, in a letter to Chakwera dated June 29, 2025, indicated that the alleged inaction of the duo has compromised national security and public trust in State security apparatus.

While acknowledging a statement Chakwera issued while in Nigeria—where he condemned violence that marred the June 26, 2025 demonstrations in Lilongwe while also calling on stakeholders to watch out for demonstrators who could be out to disrupt processes in the runup to the September 16, 2025 General Elections—Yas says “words alone are no longer enough”.

On the day in question, unknown people armed with pangas and stones foiled protests in Lilongwe where some citizens were calling for electoral accountability.

Two vehicles were set ablaze, property was looted and activist Sylvester Namiwa was assaulted in full view of Malawi Police Service (MPS) officers and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers.

Among other things, Chakwera demanded a report from ministers of Homeland Security and Defence upon his return from Nigeria which, he said, would form the basis of further action.

But, according to Yas Executive Director Charles Kajoloweka, the investigation could be fraudulent as these are the very offices whose leadership allegedly enabled or failed to prevent the acts of violence.

“It is an insult to the victims and to the nation to imagine that those responsible for systemic failure can now be trusted to investigate themselves,” he said.

Kajoloweka said it was appalling that perpetrators had not been brought to justice, calling on the government to support the Malawi Human Rights Commission to conduct an independent investigation into all politically motivated attacks since 2023, starting with the June 26 incident.

“We, therefore, make the following urgent and non-negotiable demands; Commit to a zero-tolerance policy on political violence, and use your authority, as Commander-in-Chief, to direct security agencies to uphold their constitutional obligations with impartiality and professionalism. Hold a national civic dialogue, engaging all political parties, civil society organisations and the Malawi Electoral Commission, to restore trust, protect democratic space and agree on actionable steps ahead of the 2025 elections,” the letter reads.

Meanwhile, Mzuzu Civil Society Network, a coalition of 42 organisations that are based in Mzuzu City, has called on the Independent Complaints Commission to urgently investigate the conduct of police officers who were present during the attack and, if needed, take appropriate action.

In a statement signed by the network’s chairperson and secretary Edward Kamtuseya and Isaac Cheke Ziba, the network says it is “surprising” that the Malawi Police Service is failing to arrest the perpetrators.

“Is the Malawi Police Service unable to identify and arrest these perpetrators, or are these criminals operating with the tacit support of law enforcement?” the CSOs query.

Similar calls have been made by the Malawi Law Society, National Advocacy Platform, Human Rights Defenders Coalition, among others

Wonderful MkhutcheMeanwhile, political analyst Wonderful Mkhutche has said cases of political violence would continue unabated if the situation is not put in the country.

“Youth and Society is making a good call to end political violence. We do not need people in authority who are acting against provisions of our Constitution.

“However, taking from his track record, President Chakwera will do none of those suggestions. He has already condemned the violence in a Facebook post, but we should not expect anything beyond that. In this case, the violence will continue and we should expect the worst as we are getting closer to the elections,” Mkhutche said.

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