By Brenda Kayo:
Police Thursday arrested Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (Cdedi) Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa.
Cdedi spokesperson Promise Thom confirmed the arrest but said the organisation had not been informed of the reasons for his detention.
By press time, Namiwa was being held at Lingadzi Police Station in Lilongwe.
- Advertisement -
Malawi Police Service (MPS) Deputy National Spokesperson Alfred Chimthere later confirmed the arrest.
- Advertisement -
“We can confirm the arrest of Sylvester Namiwa in connection with offences of conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and publication of false news,” Chimthere said.
He declined to provide further details but said the activist remained in custody and was expected to appear in court today, after which more information would be provided.
Earlier yesterday, Namiwa was summoned to National Police Headquarters in Area 30, Lilongwe.
He was instructed to meet Criminal Investigations Department Director Gerland Chiwanda before seeing Inspector General Richard Luhanga.
- Advertisement -
The summons came hours after Lands Minister Chimwemwe Chipungu, through his lawyer Khwima Mchizi, had demanded an apology from Namiwa over remarks made during a recent press briefing in which Cdedi called for the minister to be held accountable and undergo a voluntary lifestyle audit.
Chipungu gave Cdedi 48 hours to retract and apologise for allegations he said were defamatory.
In a letter, Mchizi said that during a July 27, 2026 press conference, Cdedi alleged that Chipungu had bought seven vehicles worth K2.8 billion after becoming a minister.
The organisation also alleged that he had started constructing a hotel beyond his known income and linked him to land transactions involving Airport Development Limited.
Chipungu dismissed the allegations, saying he had bought only two duty-free vehicles since becoming a Member of Parliament (MP) and that they were financed through bank loans available to MPs.
However, Namiwa refused to retract the claims or apologise.
He said Cdedi was prepared to face the minister in court, where Chipungu could provide documentary evidence of his assets and financial dealings.
