Information reaching Faceofmalawi indicates that Human Right Defenders Coalition (HRDC) Vice Chairperson Gift Trapence and Reverend Macdonald Sembereka have spent a night at police cell in the capital Lilongwe on an empty stomach.
The law enforcers arrested Sembereka and Trapence on Sunday and the two were sent back to Lilongwe on Tuesday following a High Court order.
Upon arrival in Lilongwe, relatives of the two were not allowed to see them and the law enforcers refused the two from eating anything.
Makhumbo Mkanavimbundi Munthali confirmed of the development in statement posted on his official facebook page.
“As of 12 noon today I had managed to visit and talk (of course with some hussle) with comrades MacDonald Sembereka (Area 25 Kanengo Station), Gift Trapence (Area 18 Police Station), and Timothy Pagonachi Mtambo. Was saddened hearing from Sembereka’s wife that Gift and MacDonald were not allowed an opportunity to eat food since yesterday morning despite their several attempts. Even this morning it wasn’t easy to convince the Police to allow her talk to the husband.
“They only wanted her to just bring the food and go. But reasoned with the police that she had a right to talk to her husband. They finally yielded to my demand. Not only that I also insisted that I talk to MacDonald in my capacity as a concerned Malawian and brother. We both managed to talk to him,” wrote Munthali.
He added: “Later with comrade Rodney Chilera we proceeded to see Gift Trapence and here we had a good experience. The Police were friendly and within 10 minutes we met Gift and shared notes. Later with Rodney we proceeded to meet Mtambo. We waited for 2 hours until we were allowed to meet him and talked. It was comforting however to see Sembereka, Trapence and Mtambo in high spirits. They looked determined, strong and passionate to continue with the struggle.
“We laughed with Mtambo when I asked him to demand the police to pay him facilitation allowance for Civic educating them yesterday on what a police service is and should be. Mtambo replied, “Mkanavimbundi! Pamene paja Mzimu wa ulaliki unandigwira! And I thought of just preaching to them”. We laughed and then I had to go as he was finalising everything with the lawyer and police to appear before the Court this afternoon. I will not be around at the Court comrades but know you are in my prayers. I wish you all the grace and God’s blessings as you continue fighting for the good of Malawi. God bless you!”
Meanwhile the three will appear in court today for formal charges.
