LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Independent Complaints Commission (ICC) has faulted the Malawi Police Service (MPS) for unprofessional conduct during the June 26, 2025 violent incident in which Citizens for Credible Elections (CfCE) Leader Sylvester Namiwa was assaulted by panga-wielding thugs in full view of law enforcement officers.
The commission has however spared Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers who also acted unprofessionally during the protest arguing that the mandate for order rests in the police.
Releasing its findings on Thursday, July 24, 2025, ICC Commissioner Christopher Tukula observed that there was negligence on the side of the Malawi Police.
Tukula wondered as to why almost a month after the incident, no arrests have been made despite evidence showing individuals that were involved.
The ICC chief also noted that there was a strategic error in equipping law enforcers and that one senior officer deserted his office, which led to a security lapse on the day.
He said the same officer in question failed to attend planning meetings, which led to poor coordination during the demonstrations.
“The commission initiated its own investigation regarding to circumstances surrounding the policing and suspected security lapse on the part of the Malawi Police during demonstrations that were organised by Citizen for Credible Elections (CfCE) which ended into an assault of one of the organisers, two journalists and other citizens that two vehicles were burnt down and properties were looted.
“This raised serious public concerns and cast questions regarding the conduct and capacity of Malawi Police to protect citizens in the excise of their constitutional right to assemble and demonstrate with others peacefully,” reads ICC report in part.
ICC faults Police, “From the totality of the evidence, its reasonable to conclude that police either knew or ought to have known about potential risk of the demonstration being disrupted by panga-weiding thugs.
“The Police inexplicably chose to disregard legal powers to protest citizens. A failure to invoke legal provisions designed to protect fundamental rights under the pretext of caution, cant absolve the police from liability arising from harm that results from their inaction”.
The commission therefore commands Malawi Police Inspector General (IG) to immediately, “Launch a full-scale investigation into June 26, 2025 with immediate arrests and prosecution of all perpetrators captured in the photographic and eyewitness evidence.
“Immediately initiate internal disciplinary proceedings against all police officers identified as having abandoned their posts, failed to execute lawful duties or acted negligently in the face of danger to civilians”.