Five years in power, no complaints; one arrest, urgent medical plea as prison looms

A heavy police presence and a chorus of supporters gathered outside the Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe on Monday as senior Malawi Congress Party (MCP) officials arrived for a hearing involving party Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda, spokesperson Jessie Kabwila, and the party’s running mate in the 16 September polls, Vitumbiko Mumba.

Also present to show solidarity with the detained officials were former ministers Moses Kunkuyu, Jacob Hara and Nancy Tembo.Inside the courtroom, however, only Chimwendo Banda’s case was called.

The Chief Resident Magistrate ordered that Chimwendo Banda be granted urgent medical attention for a spinal condition before being remanded to Maula Prison.

The order comes as Chimwendo Banda and his co-accused, Alfred Dala Kadula, face attempted murder charges linked to a February 2021 attack on Frank Chawanda.

Defence lawyers told the court that Chimwendo Banda’s health had deteriorated since his arrest last Friday.

They applied for specialised treatment at a cardiac facility and further requested that the matter be referred to a higher court, arguing that attempted murder falls outside the jurisdiction of the Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court.

State prosecutors did not oppose the request for medical care but asked the court to first subject Chimwendo Banda to an independent specialist examination to establish the severity of his condition.

They stressed that any treatment should be administered while he remains in lawful custody.The medical application has triggered public debate, particularly over its timing.

During MCP’s five years in government, Chimwendo Banda maintained a demanding political schedule, travelling extensively on the campaign trail.

He was also a frequent critic of then-opposition leader Peter Mutharika, now Malawi’s State President, often questioning his fitness to withstand the rigours of nationwide campaigns.

Even after losing MCP lost government, Chimwendo Banda went on to win a parliamentary seat and remained a regular presence in the National Assembly.

Critics argue that it is only following his recent arrest that Chimwendo Banda has sought urgent medical intervention, an issue now central to the court’s determination on his remand.

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