By Wadza Botomani
The recent violent attack on Sylvester Namiwa, a pro-democracy activist, has reignited painful memories of Malawi’s dark era under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). While the DPP now feigns outrage over political violence, Malawians must not forget that this very party perfected the art of state-sponsored terror, especially against dissenters. From Billy Mayaya’s brutal assaults to the arbitrary arrests of Timothy Mtambo, Gift Trapence, and Reverend MacDonald Sembereka, the DPP’s reign was marked by a systematic crackdown on civil liberties. Let us revisit these horrors to ensure the DPP does not rewrite history for political sympathy.
Billy Mayaya: Beaten for Demanding Justice
One of the most harrowing examples of DPP’s brutality was the attack on Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) member Billy Mayaya in Blantyre. In broad daylight, suspected DPP cadets ambushed Mayaya, assaulting him simply for organizing peaceful demonstrations against electoral injustice . The attackers, often shielded by police inaction, operated with impunity, sending a clear message: dissent would be met with violence.
Timothy Mtambo, Trapence, and Sembereka: Arrests and Intimidation
The DPP regime weaponized the law to silence critics. In March 2020, HRDC leaders Timothy Mtambo, Gift Trapence, and Reverend MacDonald Sembereka were arrested on trumped-up charges of “inciting violence” after calling for peaceful protests against electoral fraud . President Peter Mutharika himself labeled HRDC a “terrorist organization,” while DPP officials like Grezeldar Jeffrey openly threatened to “silence” Mtambo violently .
Even before their arrests, Mtambo narrowly escaped death when petrol bombs were hurled into his compound, torching his car—a clear assassination attempt . The DPP’s youth wing, the notorious “cadets,” were frequently deployed to attack opposition figures, journalists, and activists, often in full view of law enforcement .
DPP’s Legacy: A Culture of Fear
The DPP’s reign was defined by:
1. State-Sponsored Violence: Attacks on opposition figures like UTM’s Bon Kalindo, who was left with a broken nose and internal bleeding after a DPP mob assault .
2. Judicial Harassment: Baseless prosecutions of activists, designed to drain their resources and morale .
3. Propaganda and Smears: State media, like Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), amplified death threats against HRDC leaders, further endangering their lives .
Conclusion: DPP Cannot Whitewash Its Crimes
As the DPP opportunistically capitalizes on the Namiwa case to pose as victims, Malawians must remember the truth: this is the party that turned political violence into a strategy. Their cadets brutalized citizens, their leaders incited hate, and their government weaponized institutions to crush dissent. Let us not allow them to rewrite history. The scars of Billy Mayaya, Timothy Mtambo, and countless others remain fresh—a permanent indictment of the DPP’s bloody legacy.
