Police, HRDC tussle over July 1 demonstrations

By Pemphero Malimba The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) says it will proceed with its planned shutdown of the M1 Road stretch from Karonga to Chiweta in Rumphi District on July 1, 2026 despite a Malawi Police Service warning against the planned demonstrations. HRDC says it intends to conduct the demonstration as one way of forcing the government to rehabilitate the road, which it says is in bad shape. KAIYATSA—Citizens have chosen to exercise their constitutional right The coalition says, in a statement, that it has taken note of the police warning but insists that the demonstrations are a peaceful exercise of the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. "We have complied with the law by duly notifying the Rumphi District Council and the Malawi Police Service of our intention to hold peaceful demonstrations. The law requires organisers to notify authorities, not to seek permission or authorisation. The notification process exists to enable the police to make appropriate security arrangements and facilitate the peaceful exercise of constitutional rights of citizens," the statement, signed by the coalition's regional leaders led by HRDC Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa and HRDC National Coordinator Kelvin Chirwa, says. The organisation observes that Malawi is a constitutional democracy, not a police state. "The deplorable state of the Karonga-Chiweta Road has claimed lives, disrupted businesses, undermined regional trade and imposed significant hardship on citizens. It is precisely because previous assurances have not translated into timely action that citizens have chosen to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful protest. "We, therefore, urge the Malawi Police Service to act professionally, impartially and strictly within the confines of the Constitution. We remain open to constructive engagement with all relevant authorities, but such engagement must not be used to undermine or frustrate the legitimate exercise of constitutional rights,' the statement says. CHIMTEMBO—No individual has authority to block a public road However, Malawi Police Service spokesperson Lael Chimtembo says the Karonga- Chiweta stretch of the M1 Road will remain open on July 1, 2026. Chimtembo says in a statement that individuals who intend to block the road or "engage in acts that disrupt public order" would be dealt with in accordance with the law. "The service emphasises that no individual or organisation has authority to block a public road or hinder free movement of people, goods and services. Members of the public are therefore advised to continue using the road without fear or concern," he says. Last week, the Roads Authority (RA) said the government was committed to rehabilitating the road. RA spokesperson Lawrent Kumchenga said the government, through RA, had put in place concrete plans to ensure that the works start. "All design works for the rehabilitation project have been completed, bidding documents were finalised and an international tender for the rehabilitation of the Chiweta–Karonga Road was officially advertised on 17 June 2026. "In line with procurement requirements, the process is expected to be completed within approximately 60 days, after which contract award procedures will be concluded," Kumchenga said. Karonga-Chiweta is a 105km stretch of the M1 road. The road is an important stretch connecting other parts of Malawi to the north and parts of Tanzania.

WIRE — By Pemphero Malimba The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) says it will proceed with its planned shutdown of the M1 Road stretch from Karonga to Chiweta in Rumphi District on July 1, 2026 despite a Malawi Police Service warning against the planned demonstrations. HRDC says it intends to conduct the demonstration as one way of forcing the government to rehabilitate the road, which it says is in bad shape. KAIYATSA—Citizens have chosen to exercise their constitutional right The coalition says, in a statement, that it has taken note of the police warning but insists that the demonstrations are a peaceful exercise of the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. "We have complied with the law by duly notifying the Rumphi District Council and the Malawi Police Service of our intention to hold peaceful demonstrations. The law requires organisers to notify authorities, not to seek permission or authorisation. The notification process exists to enable the police to make appropriate security arrangements and facilitate the peaceful exercise of constitutional rights of citizens," the statement, signed by the coalition's regional leaders led by HRDC Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa and HRDC National Coordinator Kelvin Chirwa, says. The organisation observes that Malawi is a constitutional democracy, not a police state. "The deplorable state of the Karonga-Chiweta Road has claimed lives, disrupted businesses, undermined regional trade and imposed significant hardship on citizens. It is precisely because previous assurances have not translated into timely action that citizens have chosen to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful protest. "We, therefore, urge the Malawi Police Service to act professionally, impartially and strictly within the confines of the Constitution. We remain open to constructive engagement with all relevant authorities, but such engagement must not be used to undermine or frustrate the legitimate exercise of constitutional rights,' the statement says. CHIMTEMBO—No individual has authority to block a public road However, Malawi Police Service spokesperson Lael Chimtembo says the Karonga- Chiweta stretch of the M1 Road will remain open on July 1, 2026. Chimtembo says in a statement that individuals who intend to block the road or "engage in acts that disrupt public order" would be dealt with in accordance with the law. "The service emphasises that no individual or organisation has authority to block a public road or hinder free movement of people, goods and services. Members of the public are therefore advised to continue using the road without fear or concern," he says. Last week, the Roads Authority (RA) said the government was committed to rehabilitating the road. RA spokesperson Lawrent Kumchenga said the government, through RA, had put in place concrete plans to ensure that the works start. "All design works for the rehabilitation project have been completed, bidding documents were finalised and an international tender for the rehabilitation of the Chiweta–Karonga Road was officially advertised on 17 June 2026. "In line with procurement requirements, the process is expected to be completed within approximately 60 days, after which contract award procedures will be concluded," Kumchenga said. Karonga-Chiweta is a 105km stretch of the M1 road. The road is an important stretch connecting other parts of Malawi to the north and parts of Tanzania.

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