Bail granted but re-arrested on fresh charges.

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

The Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe today granted bail to eleven suspects believed to be involved in politically motivated violence ahead of the September 16 elections.

The suspects were brought before the court on charges linked to incidents of pre-election unrest.

Shortly after the bail ruling, they were re-arrested by police on separate allegations and returned to custody.

State prosecutor Prescott Mwayiulipo confirmed that the eleven suspects together with six additional individuals have been arrested in connection with an assault that occurred in April 2024 at the Mbowe Filling Station in Lilongwe, where a gang attacked members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

The April 2024 incident involved a masked group armed with stones, pangas and catapults who disrupted a DPP roadshow gathering at the filling station.

The Malawi Police Service issued a statement condemning the violence and noted several vehicles were damaged and people injured.

Although bail was formally approved, those eleven will not be released because the new arrests mean they remain in custody pending the fresh charges.

The six newly arrested suspects are expected to appear in court tomorrow alongside the eleven.

Prosecutor Mwayiulipo emphasised that the combined group of seventeen is being held for questioning and formal charges.

He did not provide further details on the specific new counts against each suspect.

This development comes amid heightened concern over political violence in Malawi as the country approaches the general elections.

Political analyst, Wonderful Mkhutche says that incidents such as the one at Mbowe may reflect wider patterns of intimidation, particularly in politically charged settings.

In response to the 2024 Mbowe station attacks, the DPP lodged complaints with police, accusing supporters of the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) of orchestrating the disruption.

The ruling magistrate’s court hearing today did not impose release conditions for the eleven, given the immediate re-arrest.

Defence lawyers objected to what they described as “unfair processing” since their clients had just been granted bail.

Police say investigations remain active and more arrests may follow as the web of alleged perpetrators and coordinators is mapped out. Deputy Police Spokesperson Alfred Chimthere in a related case noted that previously released suspects had been re-arrested under new charges.

Meanwhile, civil society groups have reiterated calls for non selective enforcement of the law and protection of political rights.

Michael Kaiyatsa, Human Rights Defender’s Coalition has warned that failure to hold perpetrators accountable undermines the democratic process.

As the September elections draw near, the issue of politically motivated violence remains a major concern for both domestic observers and international partners engaging with Malawi’s electoral environment.

The court will reconvene tomorrow to formally read the charges and decide on bail applications for the full set of seventeen suspects.