Mtambo, Two Others Turn to Court for Protection From Arrest

Former Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) leaders Timothy Mtambo, Gift Trapence and McDonald Sembereka have turned to the Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe seeking protection from arrest over a case they say was discontinued six years ago.

The three were arrested in March 2020 for allegedly threatening to hold demonstrations at State House.

Their lawyer, Khwima Mchizi, said the arrest warrants issued against them on October 7, 2026, were based on claims that they had failed to comply with bail conditions in the case, which he said the State discontinued in October 2020.

“My clients are shocked because that case was dismissed from court. So the issue of bail cannot arise where a case has been discontinued,” Mchizi said.

He said the defence had applied to have the warrants cancelled, with the court scheduling a hearing for Friday.

Mchizi expressed hope that the court would correct what he described as a mistake, arguing that the same court had discharged his clients in 2020.

He also claimed that the three were outside Lilongwe when the warrants were issued and accused the State of harassing their families in an attempt to force their arrest.

“It’s a political witch hunt. The State is so desperate that it’s telling lies about bail on a case that was discontinued,” he said.

National Police spokesperson Gladys Chiwaula said she was unaware of both the arrest warrants and the court proceedings.