President Lazarus Chakwera and human rights advocates have strongly condemned the violent attacks on civil servants who attempted to deliver a petition at Parliament in Lilongwe on Wednesday.

The demonstrators, protesting the government’s 20% salary increment, were assaulted by unidentified thugs wielding panga knives, wooden clubs, and other weapons.

In a statement, Presidential Press Secretary Anthony Kasunda said President Chakwera has directed the Malawi Police Service to investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

“The President condemns such acts in the strongest terms and has instructed law enforcement agencies to take swift action. Violence has no place in this country, and my administration will not tolerate any form of intimidation or lawlessness,” the statement read.

Undule Mwakasungula has described the act as uncalled for.

Mwakasungula also expressed deep concern over the attacks, stating that they undermine Malawi’s democratic principles and the right to peaceful protest.

“Violence has no space in our democracy, and no one should be allowed to intimidate citizens who are exercising their constitutional rights. The right to peaceful assembly and demonstration is fundamental, and it is unacceptable that some people resorted to violence to suppress it,” he said.

He further stressed that such incidents erode public confidence in the country’s justice system and called on authorities to act swiftly in identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators.

Concerned Citizens of Malawi Chairperson Edward Kambanje echoed these sentiments, urging law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of peaceful demonstrators.

demos — Chaos at Memorial Tower, Area 18, Lilongwe, as panga-wielding youths chase protesting civil servants over a 20% salary increment. Picture Curtsey of Nation Online

“We demand that authorities arrest and prosecute those responsible for attacking peaceful demonstrators. The Malawi Police Service must fulfill its duty of protecting all citizens under any circumstances,” Kambanje stated.

Meanwhile, Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda acknowledged in Parliament that both the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) must take responsibility for rising political violence.

“This violence is mainly from DPP and MCP. Both parties must resolve the violence in this country. Unfortunately, some members of Parliament are propagating it,” he lamented.

As Malawi approaches the 2025 elections, Mwakasungula and other advocates have urged political leaders to promote peace and unity. They warned that if political violence continues, it could jeopardize the country’s democratic progress and stability.

“We must choose dialogue over confrontation, unity over division, and peace over violence. Let us reject violence and work together for the betterment of our country,” Mwakasungula appealed.

This is not the first time peaceful demonstrations in Lilongwe have been disrupted by unidentified individuals wielding machetes, as two similar incidents occurred in November 2024.