By Pemphero Malimba
The Independent Complaints Commission (ICC) has said it expects the Malawi Police Service (MPS) to act on recommendations it made on what transpired during anti-government demonstrations that culminated in the assault of human rights activist Silvester Namiwa.
Namiwa was attacked by stick and panga-wielding men in June last year.
During the demonstration, which took place at Lilongwe Community Ground, some police officers were captured on camera seeing panga-wielding men assaulting Namiwa without acting on the matter.
Thereafter, ICC made several recommendations to the police, which include the need for a full-scale criminal investigation into the events of June 26, 2025, with the immediate arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators captured in video, photographic, and eyewitness evidence.
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It also recommended that MPS immediately initiate internal disciplinary proceedings against all police officers identified as having abandoned their posts, failed to execute lawful duties or acted negligently in the face of danger to civilians.
ICC spokesperson Happy Njalammano said the commission expected to see action being taken on the recommendations after resubmitting them to the new police leadership.
“Remember, our mandate is to investigate and make recommendations on the complaints that are before the commission. If the police service is taking action on the recommendations, that is commendable,” Njalammano said.
He said their goal was to ensure professionalism in MPS.
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“Our aim is to see professionalism, respect to the rule of law and human rights and transparency and that the public has trust in the policing functions,” he said.
Following the release of the findings and recommendations last year, the recommendations were not adhered to until regime change and police leadership change soon after the September 16, 2025 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections.
On its part, MPS said it had taken steps to adhere to the ICC recommendations.
“As I am speaking, a committee was formed and is looking into this matter. As I am speaking, they [committee members] are in Blantyre,” said MPS spokesperson Lael Chimtembo.
This is happening at a time some of the individuals who are suspected to have had a hand in the violence have been arrested and have been appearing before courts in Lilongwe.
According to the investigation report, a total of 141 officers were designated for deployment at Lilongwe Community Ground, which had been identified as the assembly point for the demonstrations.
The report indicates that the police failed to discharge some of their duties as they ought to have been aware of the potential for disruption of the demonstrations by panga-wielding gangs, a pattern that had manifested in previous demonstrations.
“Several senior police officers acknowledged this recurring violence in their testimonies. Despite this, they failed to conduct or present any formal threat assessment at the stakeholder or planning meetings. This represents a major strategic omission and lack of preparedness,” it says.
The report also says although overall deployment was adequate on paper, significant human resource gaps undermined the operation.
“For example, of the 50 officers deployed to Lilongwe Community Ground by one division, one of the officers deployed accounted for only 15 to 19 [officers] as being present. Another station planned to deploy 20 officers to [Lilongwe] Community Ground but one officer confirmed that only 15 attended,” the report reads.
ICC was established under Section 128 of the Police Act to receive and investigate complaints against police officers and MPS.
