BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-National Advocacy Platform (NAP) chairperson Benedicto Kondowe says he is receiving death threats, prompting him to report the matter to both the Malawi Police Service (MPS) and the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) for protection and further investigation.
According to the report filed with police, Kondowe says the threats are coming through WhatsApp messages, with the sender accusing him of receiving money from a former Cabinet minister to organize demonstrations against the current administration.
Reads report in part:“I received WhatsApp messages alleging that I was paid K80 million by former Minister of Information and Government Spokesperson, Moses Kunkuyu,to organize demonstrations against the President—claims that were immediately followed by unprecedented threats.”
Kondowe adds that the messages were sent from +27 836 812 587, under the name Francis Davie Chiotcha, and included a chilling warning:‘We have clear instructions to take out your life if you choose not to be quiet. Start to support APM.’
In addition to reporting to police, Kondowe has written to MHRC chairperson Chikondi Chijozi, requesting the Commission’s urgent intervention in line with its mandate to safeguard human rights.
Chijozi confirmed that the Commission has received the complaint and is currently conducting internal investigations.
The incident comes amid growing concern from civil society groups, who recently wrote to United Nations Resident Representative Rebecca Adda-Dontoh highlighting what they describe as ‘escalating threats against human rights defenders’in the country.
