Tag Archives: Edward Kambanje

Law and order, Malawi

Malawi Police defends activist Edward Kambanje’s arrest over forgery

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Police Service (MPS) have defended the arrest of human rights activist Edward Kambanje on forgery allegations.

National Police Spokesperson Peter Kalaya disclosed that Kambanje was arrested in Blantyre on Friday, May 31, 2024.

Kambanje however is currently being held in Lilongwe.

Kalaya explained that Kambanje was arrested after receiving a complaint that the suspect had forged names and signatures when issuing a statement.

The police publicist added that the suspect will be taken to court soon after finalizing their investigations on the matter.

Meanwhile, Economic Freedom Movement commander in Chief Joseph Peshi has demanded his unconditional release; describing his arrest as a move to silence government critics.

Kambanje, a leader of Concerned Citizens of Malawi, wrote the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to among others investigate Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda’s daughter, Regina, for what the group said she had become super rich within a short period of time.

But one of the signatories of the letter Queen Kapalamula claimed she was not consulted and that she didn’t authorise to have her signature on the letter.

More to come….

Law and order, Malawi

Opposition Leader Chaponda demands immediate release of Activist Kambanje from police custody

MaraviPost

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Opposition Leader in Malawi Parliament George Chaponda is demanding immediate release of activist Edward Kambanje from police custody.

The demand comes barely hours after Malawi Police Service arrested Kambanje on reasons yet to be established.

But in a press statement issued on Saturday, June 1, 2024, Chaponda says Kambanje arrest is not justifiable.

George Chaponda
George Chaponda was once agriculture minister

“I’m appalled by the arrest of activist Edward Kambanje and demand his immediate release from police custody,” demands Chaponda’s statement.

Chaponda observes, “Activist Kambanje has been a courageous voice against corruption. Recently, he asked Anti Corruption Bureau ACB, to investigate reports of an alleged questionable lifestyle of a daughter of a politician. He has also exposed gaps in national identity cards registration exercises in centres he inspected.

“Therefore his arrest is a clear attempt to silence him. This is an attack on free speech, whistleblower protection, harassment and intimidation of activists and whistleblowers”.

Chaponda adds, ” As Leader of the Opposition, I condemn this authoritarian move and demand: the immediate and unconditional release of Edward Kambanje, an end to the harassment and intimidation of activists and whistleblowers and a full investigation into the alleged lifestyle reported by Activist Kambanje.

“This arrest is a stark reminder of the government’s growing intolerance for dissent and its desperate attempts to hide the truth. We will not be silenced”.

He further said, “We stand in solidarity with Activist Kambanje and all those who fight for transparency and accountability”.

The Malawi Police Service (MPS) is yet to comment on the matter as we go to press.