LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s human rights activists are demanding Malawi Police Service to swiftly arrest panga-wielding thugs that attacked and manhandled demonstrators in Lilongwe on Thursday.

Chairperson for Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) Gift Trapence and National Advocacy Platform (NAP) chairperson Benedicto Kondowe issued the demand on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Lilongwe after visiting Sylvester Namiwa at his residence following an attack in full view of police and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers.

Trapence said the law should apply on perpetrators who left Namiwa with deep cuts on his back and head, describing the attack as an enemy to the country’s democratic values.

Kondowe, who is also Chairperson for Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum(CSEIF) has demanded speedy investigations for justice on those orchestrating such barbaric acts.

Meanwhile, Namiwa says he is still in great pain and has expressed shock with police and MDF for failing to protect him from the panga-wielding thugs.

Pressure however is mounting on President Lazarus Chakwera to fire Homeland Security Minister Ezekiel Ching’oma, Inspector General of Police (IG) Merlyne Yolamu and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) General Valentino Phiri for siding with thugs who keep hacking innocent protesters.