By: Lloyd M’bwana
The country’s two human rights watchdogs, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (Cedep) have called for a sober and rational reflection over the nation’s lapse of security in a bid to serve citizens lives and property.
The call comes barely a few days following the shooting of the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)’s Northern Region Treasure General, Happy Kumwenda whose health status remains critical at Queens Elizabeth Hospital where he was referred from St. John’s Hospital in Mzuzu.
Kumwenda survived the gun shot from unknown assailants at his residence in Nzirawaingwe around 19 hours on Sunday, December 27 while he was out talking to his guard as motive behind the attempt to terminate his life remains mystery and the police are on a man hunter to get the gangsters.
The shooting of the DPP official has instilled fears among the general populace for continue lapsing of the country’s security recently evidenced by the late Njauju death who was brutally murdered after he went missing on July 2, 2015 before his body was discovered two days later behind Presidential villas in the capital Lilongwe. His official vehicle was later found burnt along Ntandire Road within the city such that post-mortem results revealed that Njauju body had bullet wounds on the neck and stomach.
In joint statement released on Wednesday, December 30, which is also available to The Maravi Post, CHRR and CEDEP have expressed sadness with aggravating state of the nation’s security calling the country’s leadership to critically reflect on matter with sober mind for better approach.
“We the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation and Centre for Development of People are dismayed with the aggravating state of security in the country which is partly evident by the recent shooting of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Regional Treasurer for the North, Happy Kumwenda, who fortunately survived but with serious injuries.
“According to media reports, the DPP regional treasurer has been referred to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre where the bullets are expected to be removed. CHRR and Cedep strongly condemn these barbaric acts and call upon the Police to swiftly conclude the investigations so that these assailants are punished accordingly as per our laws.
“As human rights defenders, we strongly believe that right to life is a fundamental human right, and one of non-derogable rights as prescribed in our Republic Constitution, and must be respected and protected at all costs. Any attempt to infringe on this right must be
condemned in strongest terms, and justice must take its course.
“We also acknowledge the current efforts being made by our Police service to come to the bottom of the issue by assuring the public not to panic as the issue was under their control”, reads part of the statement signed by Timothy Mtambo and Gift Trapence, Executive Directors for CHRR and CEDEP respectively.
