Renowned civil rights coalition, Human Rights Consultative Council (HRCC) has thrown a veil of doubt over the abduction episode posed by self-acclaimed activist, Sylvester Namiwa, last week. The rights body has since demanded a full investigation by Police to establish the whole truth around the ordeal.
Namiwa, of Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) says he was abducted last week only to appear the following day in a maize field in Nathenje, a story that is incoherent and has numerous grey areas for one to believe at face value.
Many Malawians have rightly quashed his story and that is what has courted a critical eye from many stakeholders.
Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) says a full investigation is the only way Malawians would know the truth on what really transpired on the day.
Apparently, Namiwa is on court bail whose one of the conditions demands that he should not organize or participate in any demonstration until his matter is concluded.
Some Malawians, through various social media platforms, concluded that the activist was simply trying to avoid colliding with the law, which would put him in instant jail sentence for contempt of court.
HRCC Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba said now that Namiwa returned safe and sound, law enforcers should take right steps to investigate his claims.
“While previous abductions of Honourable Kunkuyu or that of Hon Kamlepo Kaluwa has not been officially concluded, we would like to plead with the law enforcers to unflinchingly interrogate this matter and ensure that truth for once is known to the public,” said Mkwezalamba.
He added “As HRCC, we demand that both Mr. Namiwa and Malawi Police account for their actions and inactions by addressing Malawians and telling them the truth of what exactly happened.
“Should this not happen within the next 24 hours, we demand the Malawi Police to open charges against Mr. Namiwa for libel and force allegations of abductions which is tantamount to conduct likely to cause breach of peace, lawlessness and anarchy.”
Namiwa, who once worked as press officer for Peter Mutharika, has questionable integrity and is viewed as a staunch supporter of the Democratic Progressive Party that was booted out of power by President Lazarus Chakwera.