Seasoned Journalist Kondwani Munthali asks MHRC to probe Chizuma’s arrest

Malawi Human Rights Commission-MHRC has confirmed receiving a request from Kondwani Munthali, a Malawian citizen and seasoned journalist, for a thorough and independent inquiry on the arrest of the ACB chief, Martha Chizuma.

Chairperson for the Commission, Scader Louis said they will officially respond to Munthali later this afternoon. She could not say whether the Commission finds merit in the request or not.

Among others, Munthali is not amused with the findings of an inquiry that President Lazarus Chakwera instituted on the matter. He wants the Commission to establish if there were any human rights violations during and after Chizuma’s arrest on December 6 last year.

Again, Munthali argues the country must know who ordered Chizuma’s arrest, who knew of the arrest and their roles.

Earlier, some commentators questioned the absence of a representative from MHRC in the Commission Chakwera instituted; arguing the arrest had all signs of human rights violations.

President Chakwera pledged to take further actions on Chizuma’s arrest after the released report. No senior government official has lost their job over the matter except a suspension on the Director of Public Prosecutions, Steve Kayuni.

United States of America and United Kingdom had threatened to effect travel bans on those behind the arrest and impose economic sanctions if authorities had not released Chizuma from police cell.