By Burnett Munthali

An audio released on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, by prominent activist Bon Kalindo, also known as the DC, has gone viral on social media, stirring up significant attention across Malawi. In the audio, Kalindo passionately speaks out against the current state of affairs in Malawi, accusing the country’s leadership, particularly the Malawi Police Service (MPS), of spreading false information and engaging in unprofessional conduct. His message, which has resonated deeply with many citizens, carries serious implications for the country’s governance and the rule of law.

Kalindo begins by addressing the lack of regular audio updates from his side, explaining that he only produces audios when he believes the content is vital for the public. He emphasizes that his activism is not driven by money but by the desire to expose the truth to Malawians, no matter how uncomfortable it may be for those in power. According to Kalindo, in a democratic society, there should be no fear of speaking out, even if it means facing repercussions such as surveillance or arrest. His boldness is evident as he declares, “If the leadership is tired of leading the nation in the right direction, the best thing to do is to resign.”

One of the major points of contention in Kalindo’s message is the alleged false report released by the Inspector General of the Malawi Police Service regarding an arrest of suspects who were supposedly armed and disrupted a peaceful demonstration. Kalindo vehemently denies the claims, challenging the Inspector General to provide concrete proof, such as the names and photographs of the suspects. He insists that the police are merely fabricating stories to deceive the public and the international community, asserting that no such arrests have been made.

Kalindo’s challenge to the Inspector General is clear and direct: “If you think I am lying, come and arrest me.” He accuses the police of trying to appease the international community and local NGOs, who have been condemning the MPS for failing to address political violence. Kalindo claims that the police’s portrayal of arrests is merely an attempt to appear as though they are taking action, when in reality, nothing has been done.

The activist also raises serious concerns about the involvement of some police officers in the violence that has marred peaceful demonstrations. He names several individuals, including some traffic police officers and a police commissioner from Area City, accusing them of being hired to incite violence and undermine the legitimacy of peaceful protests. Kalindo has warned the leadership of the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Defence Force to be cautious, as he believes their actions will soon have serious consequences.

In a further bold move, Kalindo demands that the names of the arrested suspects be made public within 48 hours, including their photographs, to prove that the MPS is truly upholding the law. He warns that if the police fail to provide this information, the public will be made aware of the MPS’s failure to protect citizens and uphold the constitution.

Kalindo’s criticism extends beyond the police to include the country’s electoral process. He takes aim at the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and its recent voter registration exercise, calling it the “most fake registration exercise” in the country’s history. He accuses the police officers assigned to registration centers of being involved in corruption, citing a specific instance in Machinga where police officers were allegedly instructed to pay bribes to perform their duties. Kalindo has praised civil society leaders like Sylvester Namiwa, who have called for transparency and accountability from the police.

Kalindo also condemns the current government’s handling of issues such as the Admarc employees’ pay dispute, the erratic distribution of fertilizers, and the treatment of citizens by local authorities. He likens the current situation to “slavery” within Malawi, where the poor and vulnerable are exploited by those in power. He highlights the unjust treatment of workers and citizens, including an incident in Mulanje where a man was allegedly arrested without evidence and denied bail.

Throughout the audio, Kalindo’s message is clear: Malawians are no longer willing to accept lies and manipulation from their leaders. He warns that the time for fooling the public is over, and those in power must be held accountable for their actions.

The audio, which has captured the attention of many, is likely to spark further debate about the state of governance and law enforcement in Malawi. Kalindo’s calls for transparency, accountability, and justice have echoed across social media, as many citizens rally behind his message of truth and reform. As the nation watches closely, the next few days will likely determine whether the Malawi Police Service and other government institutions will respond to these allegations or continue to ignore the growing public outcry for change.