Malawi First Criticizes Court Order in Chimwendo Banda Case
Published on January 21, 2026 at 2:30 PM by Edgar Naitha
Rights group Malawi First, also known as The Peoples First, has expressed concern over a High Court order in the case involving MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda against the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Malawi Police.
Speaking to the media in Lilongwe on Wednesday, Malawi First leader Bon Kalindo described the order as extraordinary and legally troubling.
Kalindo said the ruling appears to restrain law enforcement agencies from making arrests over future and uncommitted offences.
He noted that while Section 42 of the Constitution guarantees protection from arbitrary arrest and detention, it does not shield individuals from the application of criminal law in advance.
Kalindo warned that such orders risk creating the perception that the law can be selectively suspended for certain individuals.
He added that this undermines the fundamental principle that no one is above the law.
Chimwendo Banda, who is accused of attempting to murder Frank Chawanda, was unconditionally released following a judicial review by Justice Kenyatta Nyirenda and later granted bail by Justice Mzonde Mvula.
