Jomo under fire over assault, apologises

Blantyre City Mayor Isaac Jomo Osman has come under fire after a video surfaced showing him slapping a defenceless woman in Malawi’s commercial capital. The video, originally broadcast live on Osman’s Facebook page, captures the mayor allegedly physically and verbally assaulting a woman and several young men accused of purchasing stolen goods. The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) condemned the violence, describing it as an affront to legal protocols.

In a statement, MHRC chairperson Chikondi Chijozi called on law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter swiftly. Jomo Osman, as mayor of Blantyre City and chairperson of the Malawi Local Government Association (Malga), is a public servant entrusted with the welfare of the citizens he has sworn to serve. His position does not place him above the law; it demands a higher standard of conduct.” Chijozi further warned that when a leader raises a hand against a woman in public, it undermines the rule of law and sends a “deeply dangerous message that power can be used to abuse the vulnerable.” The NGO Gender Coordination Network and the Women’s Manifesto Movement joined the chorus of condemnation, demanding that police open criminal investigations for assault and grievous bodily harm.

Chairperson of the coalition Maggie Kathewera Banda demanded an unconditional apology from Osman and called for his immediate resignation. The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) also called for the mayor’s immediate arrest. In a statement, HRDC chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa and national coordinator Kelvin Chirwa, described the conduct as criminal.

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Similarly, HRCC chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba and National Advocacy Platform chairperson Benedicto Kondowe argued that regardless of any alleged offence committed by the vendors, the mayor had no right to take the law into his own hands or use his aides to mete out punishment. But in an earlier interview, Osman expressed surprise that rights bodies were focusing on his actions rather than the alleged criminal activity of the woman involved. He argued that handling stolen property violates the rights of fellow citizens and that his actions were part of an effort to “sanitise” the city.

But in a statement last evening, Osman said his actions fell short of the standards expected of a public official and took full responsibility for the incident. “As mayor, my foremost duty is to uphold the safety, dignity and well‑being of all residents of Blantyre. Our efforts to maintain order and protect the community must always be carried out within the bounds of respect and the rule of law,” Osman said.

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