DPP intimidation claims
By Michael Martin//MALAWI
● Police arrest another former minister
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has accused the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government of using arrests to intimidate its political opponents, claiming the actions are unlawful and politically motivated.
MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwira made the claims on Thursday 15th January 2026 during a press briefing in Lilongwe.
She said senior party officials are being targeted because the government fears the opposition.
Kabwira alleged that the DPP administration is failing to govern effectively and is instead resorting to arrests to silence critics and weaken MCP.
“These are desperate acts by a government that knows it is failing and fears the people,” Kabwira said.
She further claimed that MCP remains confident it will return to power in 2030, arguing that Malawians are increasingly suffering under the current DPP led administration.
Kabwira also expressed concern over reports that police are searching for MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda, describing the move as harassment.
“Everything DPP is doing shows that they are afraid of us. They want us to keep quiet but that will not happen,” Kabwira said.
The press briefing was attended by MCP Director of Youth Baba Steven Malondera and the party’s Director of Political Affairs Maxwell Thyolera, who both echoed Kabwira’s sentiments.
MCP says several of its senior members, all former ministers in the previous administration, have been arrested in recent weeks.
Those arrested include Jessie Kabwira herself, Richard Chimwendo Banda, Vitumbiko Mumba, and Ezekiel Ching’oma.
The latest arrest involves former Minister of Homeland Security Ezekiel Ching’oma, who was picked up by police in Lilongwe early Thursday morning.
According to Ching’oma’s lawyer, Jefferson Luwa, police officers went to his house around 5am and took him to Lumbadzi Police Station.
Luwa said his client had not been informed of the reason for the arrest or any charges against him.
“They simply picked him up, left him at Lumbadzi Police, and said their bosses wanted to question him on something,” Luwa said.
By Thursday afternoon, police had yet to officially explain the grounds for Ching’oma’s arrest.
The series of arrests has heightened political tensions, with MCP accusing the government of undermining democratic principles and the rule of law.
However, the DPP has previously rejected claims of political interference in law enforcement matters.
Government and DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba declined to comment directly on Kabwira’s remarks.
In earlier statements, Namalomba maintained that the government does not interfere with the work of the police or the courts, stressing that these institutions operate independently.
“Police and the judiciary are independent bodies, and government cannot dictate how they perform their duties,” Namalomba has said in the past.
Political analyst, Wonderful Mkhutche says the situation reflects growing mistrust between the government and opposition parties barely three months after DPP returned to power.
Mkhutche said the arrests have raised important questions about transparency and due process.
Mkhutche noted that while no one is above the law, arrests must follow clear legal procedures to avoid perceptions of political persecution.
“If arrests are made without clear communication of charges, it fuels suspicion and undermines public confidence in state institutions,” Mkhutche said.
He added that both government and opposition have a responsibility to act in ways that strengthen democratic governance.
“The government must demonstrate respect for human rights and the rule of law, while opposition parties should allow lawful investigations to proceed without inflaming tensions,” he said.
Mkhutche also cautioned that continued political polarization could distract leaders from addressing pressing economic challenges facing Malawians.
The developments come at a time when economic and governance experts say there are early signs of stability under the new administration, despite ongoing structural challenges.
Analyst warns, however, that perceived misuse of law enforcement could erode these gains and damage Malawi’s democratic credentials.
As investigations continue, Malawians will be watching closely to see whether the arrests lead to formal charges or reinforce opposition claims of political intimidation.
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