The Malawi human rights defenders have on Tuesday join hands demanding the Police to release the country’s renowned and fearless activist Billy Mayaya.Mayaya was arrested by the Police over his anti-electricity blackouts and water outage protest at area 18 round about in Lilongwe.
However, some of the Malawi human rights activists including Dan Msowoya have described Mayaya’s arrest as unconstitutional and political.
“We want Police to immediately release our friend because there is nothing wrong he has done,” said Msowoya.
“Demonstration is part of every citizen right to express his or her concern especially if it is not violent, so with the case of Mayaya there was nothing wrong or else the Police have another case against him,” he argued.
Karonga youth activist Steven Simsokwe asked the Police to be professional when carrying out their duties and desist from politics.
“This shows that the police were just influenced by the ruling political party officials especially with the aim of protecting their image,” said Simsokwe.
However, National Police Spokesperson James Kadadzera said Mayaya was arrested because of organizing unconstitutional protest.
“Yes, Mayaya is in our hands after we arrested him in the morning. This is because he organized his demonstration without permission, which is against the section 108 of police Act,” said Kadazera.
For almost a month, the country has been experiencing persisted blackout and water shortages but government as well as the two responsible companies have so far failed to come up with a solution.
National Police Spokesperson James Kadadzera said human rights activist Billy Mawaya was arrested because of organizing an unconstitutional protest….
Can someone please tell me what is an “unconstitutional protest”? What I know of what is in the Malawi Constitution, is people’s guaranteed right to gather/assemble to protest on issues of concern to them.
Permit me to ask the police spokesman to check his constitution. In fact in future when making these arrests, human rights activists start stressing that the police must state under what state statute, constitutional or local bylaws the offender is being arrested. Malawi is a democracy, and the time is OVER (NO MORE) when an official can wake up one morning and decide he or she doesn’t like this or that AND THEN ORDER THE POLICE TO ARREST SOMEBODY.
To the Malawi Police officials, please NOTE, you are now a Service not a Force. That is you are the Malawi Police Service not the Malawi Police Force as was the case in the one party system of government.
Behave constitutionally! Free Billy Mawaya NOW!
Thank should read Billy Mayaya not Mawaya. Jayzedkay