By Daniel Zimba:
The Blantyre Chief Resident Magistrate Court Monday released on bail Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator for Mulanje Bale Victor Musowa.
Police in Blantyre arrested Musowa earlier that day, alleging that he proposed violence at a DPP rally held in Ndirande Township, Blantyre, on December 15 this year.
However, Chief Resident Magistrate Paul Chiotcha pointed out that the State failed to provide sufficient justification for detaining Musowa for an additional seven days.
Initially, the State asked the court to keep Musowa in custody until investigations were over.
Chiotcha also questioned the reasoning behind Musowa’s arrest before investigations were completed, highlighting that investigations could continue while Musowa is on bail.
On December 16 this year, the governing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) alleged that Musowa had uttered undemocratic sentiments.
During a political rally held in Ndirande Township, Blantyre, Musowa allegedly told people who gathered at the rally not to entertain people who use the slogan “Kwacha”.
The slogan is associated with MCP.
“Nyengo ino munthu kunena kuti Kwacha ndi zoona? Igwira? Mukadzamva za Kwacha, mudzaone mochitira mwake.
“Ndirande sisunga kape [is it okay for someone to exclaim Kwacha during this period? Is that possible? When you hear someone shouting that slogan, know what to do with them],” he is alleged to have said.
MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila said at the time that it was unfortunate for Musowa, as lawmaker, to say such words.
“People like Musowa must be held to account because our members don’t feel safe,” Kabwila said.
She said the party would continue preaching peace across the country.
“We will continue standing for peace; so, don’t take us for granted,” she said.
DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba said remarks that were being attributed to Musowa did not reflect the party’s stand on the matter.
“I would not specifically want to comment on what was allegedly said by Honourable Musowa but I would want to tell Malawians the party’s stand. The party’s stand is that we do not condone violence in whatever form, be it political violence or violence against the elderly. Whatever people say at the podium, our advice to them is that they must take personal responsibility,” Namalomba said.
He said there was no need for people to panic as there was no place in the country which was a no-go zone for a particular group of people.
“There is no need for people to fear because this [what Musowa allegedly said] is not the stand of the party. It should not be promoted and the party does not promote violence. So, we expect our supporters in the Central Region to peacefully campaign for the party and His Excellency, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika,” he said.
He then accused the MCP of fermenting violence in the country.
“However, having stated our position, we find it ironic that no one seems to hold MCP accountable for the violence as well as foul language they use during their rallies,” Namalomba said.
When contacted at the time, Musowa said he did not say the words that were being attributed to him.
“The video that was taken during the rally indicates that I didn’t say those words but the video that is making rounds on social media is the one indicating that I said those words,” Musowa said.
He said he loved peace and that he could not utter such words.
“I am not someone who loves violence but there are some people who are against me and are trying to bring me down but I didn’t say those words,” he said.
He said he had consulted an information communications technology (ICT) company on the matter.
“I don’t believe in the things that are being said and I don’t remember saying such words. I believe that there are some people who are capable of using their computer to change the way I spoke at the rally. I have engaged an ICT company to find out more about this because I don’t remember saying those kinds of words,” he said.
He claimed that police in the Southern Region engaged him on the same and that he denied that he said words.
At the time, Malawi Police Service spokesperson Peter Kalaya confirmed that police officers had engaged Musowa, “where we reminded him about the need to promote peace” ahead of the September 19 2025 Local Government, Parliamentary and Presidential Elections.
