The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has accused the Malawi Police Service of denying its Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa, food, warm clothing and access to family members following his arrest on Thursday.
In a statement signed by CDEDI Communications Officer Promise Thom,the treatment of Namiwa violates democratic principles and the rights of persons in police custody.
He also claimed that, as of today, police had not informed Namiwa or his legal team of the specific offence for which he was being detained.
Inside sources within the police have confided to cables the the actions were carried out under the direction of Deputy Minister of Homeland Security Norman Chisale.
CDEDI has called on the Malawi Police Service to release Namiwa immediately, arguing that he is being held without being formally informed of any charges.
The organisation also expressed gratitude to civil society organisations, political leaders and members of the public who have shown solidarity with Namiwa since his arrest.
Namiwa was summoned to the National Police Headquarters on Thursday for questioning before being taken into custody and transferred to Lingadzi Police Station.
The Malawi Police Service had not publicly responded to CDEDI’s allegations at the time of publication.
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