Malawi Watch condemns Police for continued detention of man who ‘insulted’ Pres. Banda
Malawi Watch executive director Billy Banda has criticized the Police for continued detention of a man accused of insulting President Joyce Banda, saying the law enforcers are abusing the suspect’s human rights to bail.
Japhet Chirwa, who hails from Mazembe village, T/A Fulumapiri, Nkhata Bay, is languishing at Mzuzu Prison where he has been remanded after he allegedly insulted President Joyce Banda on Thursday. He was denied police bail on Friday.
Banda said the police erred by not granting the man bail and failing to go on with prosecution when they have evidence he insulted the President.
“This is a straightforward case; I don’t see why they say there are investigations underway,” noted Banda.
“ They have all the witnesses, why should they be delaying the case and go on to deny the man bail. Let it be noted that police are not there as agents of the President to punish suspects.”
According to Mzuzu Police spokesperson Maurice Chapola , cops arrested 31-year-old for allegedly calling the President “stupid” and “a failure”.
He is alleged to have been angered following the rejection of his bid to renew his passport at Immigration Department in Mzuzu.
Chirwa reportedly called President Banda “stupid” and also accused her of being a “failure”.
Chapola said Chirwa has since been charged with conduct likely to cause breach of peace contrary to Section 182 of the Penal Code.
