Mayaya, Chiza get K3.5m each compensation from Malawi govt

Malawi government has paid K15 million compensation to four human rights activists and a youth arrested in October 2011 during the previous brutal Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rule.

Rights campaigner Billy Mayaya, Ben Chiza Mkandawire, lawyer Habiba Osman, politician Brian Nyasulu and Osman’s cousin, Comfort Chitseko, were locked up in October 2011 for a demonstration which they held to coincide with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) Summit in protest against the late president Bingu wa Mutharika’s poor governance

The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions discontinued a case against the five and through their lawyer Wapona Kita, the sought compensation through Attorney General’s office.

However, only Nyasulu was paid compensation by the People’s Party (PP) government, Nyasa Times understands.

Meanwhile, the new DPP government has paid the other four K3.5 million each for false imprisonment.

Mayaya and Mkandawire confirmed their compensation have been paid when asked by Nyasa Times.

Mkandawire on Wednesday said he was yet to be informed of the decision, but reserved his comment.

“If what you asking me is what you have learnt from the court then  I have no further comment,” he said.

Mayaya confirmed the compensation has been paid to the remaining four.

“It was long overdue but we are content that justice has been done,” Mayaya told Nyasa Times.

The five were arrested on a Friday and kept in detention for five days due to a public holiday and a magistrate who was absent during their bail hearing.

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