In the unfolding drama surrounding the arrest and subsequent rearrest of individuals alleged to be Malawi Congress Party (MCP) operatives involved in violent acts, Jessie Kabwira has once again stepped forward with vocal criticism against law enforcement agencies.
Her assertion that she will lodge a complaint over the arrests is not only laughable but also glaringly inconsistent when one looks back just two years ago.
Kabwira’s selective memory and political posturing reveal a troubling double standard that undermines the credibility of her claims.
Let us remind Kabwira and the public of the precedent set in 2023 when similar arrests and rearrests occurred under comparable circumstances, yet her voice of protest was conspicuously absent.
Take, for instance, the case of Norman Chisale, the personal bodyguard to President Peter Mutharika.
Chisale was arrested in 2023 on charges related to using insulting language, intimidation, and obstructing justice—serious offenses that warranted police intervention.
Following his arrest, he was granted bail under strict conditions that included a hefty fine of MK500,000 and a prohibition on granting any media interviews regarding the case.
This clearly showed that the courts and police were not only taking the matter seriously but also seeking to maintain order and respect for the legal process.
However, Chisale’s freedom was short-lived. Immediately after being granted bail, he was re-arrested by the police.
This re-arrest was not an arbitrary measure but was driven by emerging developments that justified further legal scrutiny.
Despite these actions, Kabwira remained silent then, choosing not to raise any complaints or question the integrity of the police operation.
This silence speaks volumes about the nature of her current outrage—it is selective and politically motivated rather than principled.
In a similar vein, Bon Kalindo, a well-known Malawian activist, faced a near-identical scenario in 2023. Kalindo was arrested in connection with demonstrations held in Zomba, where protesters caused property damage worth millions of Kwacha.
The Senior Resident Magistrate court in Mangochi granted him bail after he spent over a week in police custody.
His bail conditions were stringent: a cash bond of K300,000, two sureties, and a non-cash bond valued at K7 million.
This bail arrangement was a clear indication that the judicial system was balancing Kalindo’s right to liberty with the need to ensure accountability.
Yet, minutes after his release, Kalindo was re-arrested by police officers armed with court documents, again linked to the same demonstrations.
This re-arrest was lawful and based on additional warrants or pending charges. It demonstrated that the police were diligently following through with their duties, ensuring that justice was served comprehensively and not just partially.
Like in Chisale’s case, Kabwira did not express any concern or intention to lodge complaints against the police for their actions.
Now, fast forward to today, and Kabwira is vocally defending the MCP suspects involved in panga-weilding incidents, even going as far as framing their arrest and rearrest as unjust persecution. The irony here is palpable—and troubling.
The police are doing exactly what they did in 2023: executing their responsibilities to uphold law and order, especially against individuals suspected of serious crimes.
The difference is that the suspects now are linked to the MCP, the very party Kabwira seems keen to shield.
This inconsistency exposes a politically charged double standard. When those associated with the DPP or activists like Kalindo were arrested and re-arrested, Kabwira’s silence was deafening.
Now, when the MCP’s operatives come under the law’s scrutiny, she suddenly adopts the mantle of defender of rights and justice.
Such selective outrage undermines the legitimacy of her position and raises questions about her motivations.
The police should be commended for their steadfastness in performing their duties irrespective of political affiliations.
The arrest and rearrest of suspects linked to criminal activities, whether in 2023 or today, are part of a consistent pattern of law enforcement aimed at protecting public safety and the rule of law. These actions should not be politicized nor used as tools for partisan point-scoring.
Moreover, Kabwira’s defense of the MCP suspects inadvertently confirms the long-standing suspicion that the panga-weilding individuals are indeed MCP operatives.
Her reaction is less about justice and more about political loyalty, revealing an uncomfortable truth that the party may be nurturing elements willing to engage in violent and unlawful conduct.
It is important to remember that justice is blind and must be impartial.
The police’s actions in 2023 with Chisale and Kalindo were justified and necessary, just as the current arrests and rearrests are.
To claim otherwise now is to ignore history and to undermine the very institutions tasked with maintaining peace and order.
Jessie Kabwira’s recent declarations are not only hypocritical but also an affront to the principles of fairness and consistency. If she had any genuine concern for justice, she would have spoken out equally when Chisale and Kalindo faced similar legal processes.
Instead, her selective indignation reveals political bias rather than a commitment to lawful conduct.
The police are simply doing their work. That work involves ensuring that those suspected of crimes face due process, regardless of their political affiliations.
The public deserves to see law enforcement acting without fear or favor, and it is disappointing that some political actors fail to appreciate the importance of this impartiality.
Kabwira would do well to remember the events of 2023 before making baseless accusations today.
Justice must be applied equally, or it risks becoming a tool for political manipulation rather than a pillar of democracy.
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