By Jones Gadama
CDEDI Executive Director Silvester Namiwa is facing heavy criticism from fellow civil society leaders after his recent remarks targeting First Lady Prof. Gertrude Mutharika, with activists accusing him of politicizing charity work and damaging the credibility of the CSO sector.
The backlash intensified after Namiwa called for a forensic audit of BEAM Trust and alleged that the First Lady influences government appointments.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition, HRDC, led the charge, saying the claims were made without evidence and risked undermining public trust in genuine accountability efforts.
“Attacking individuals engaged in humanitarian work without facts is reckless and unhelpful to Malawi’s democracy,” an HRDC representative said. “CSOs must base their interventions on verified information, not speculation.”
Other activists joined in, arguing that CDEDI’s statement was driven by politics rather than principle.
They noted that since 1994, Malawi’s First Ladies have run foundations focused on health, education and vulnerable groups.
From Mama Cecilia Kadzamira’s CCAM, to the Anne Muluzi Foundation, Shanil Foundation, Mamma Cee and the Monica Chakwera Foundation, the tradition has been service, not politics.
“BEAM Trust has delivered real benefits to Malawians in schools, hospitals and communities affected by floods,” one Blantyre-based activist said. “Instead of celebrating that, we are seeing baseless attacks. That is not activism.”
Critics further pointed out that internationally, first ladies run charitable foundations funded by voluntary donations.
To single out BEAM, they argued, shows double standards and jealousy.
The CSOs emphasized that accountability remains important, but must follow due process through institutions like the Office of the Auditor General. Linking donors to court cases still before the courts, they added, violates the principle of innocent until proven guilty.
As pressure mounts on CDEDI, the message from fellow activists is clear: debate must be anchored in evidence.
For now, what is documented about the First Lady is years of quiet, consistent charitable work under BEAM, and that, they say, deserves praise not attack.
