The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has requested the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to investigate reports that activist Joshua Chisa Mbele was assaulted by the police while in custody.

In a statement issued yesterday, HRDC national chairperson Gift Trapence said they want MHRC to institute investigations into the alleged police abuse and take appropriate action.

Mbele was arrested during anti-government protests on Friday for allegedly inciting violence. He was temporarily kept at Area 3 Police Headquarters before being transferred to Nathenje Police Station in Lilongwe.

Chisa Mbele speaks to protesters during demonstrations in Blantyre

“According to information that we have gathered, Mbele was then transferred back to Area 3 on Saturday where he was allegedly assaulted,” reads the statement in part.

HRDC cited the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi, which protects fundamental human rights.

The statement reads in part: “Section 16 stipulates that; every person has the right to life and no person shall be arbitrarily deprived of his or her life.

“Section 19(3) provides that; no person shall be subject to torture of any kind or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, while under Section 38: Every person shall have the right to assemble and demonstrate with others peacefully and unarmed. These rights are non-derogable.”

In an interview, Mbele’s lawyer Gilbert Khonyongwa alleged that his client sustained “multiple injuries’’ and “his arm is swollen”.

But police have since dismissed Mbele’s claims as untrue.

Mbele was who was one of the lead organiser of the protests.

He was arrested alongside Levi Luwembe and 31 other protesters, near Sunbird Lilongwe as the group headed to Kamuzu Palace in defiance of an order to deliver their petition at Lilongwe district commissioner’s office.

HRDC has since called on government to immediately and unconditionally release Mbele and the other protesters.

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