A state witness in a case involving suspected panga-wielding thugs accused of assaulting civil servants in Lilongwe has told the court that police officers knew the suspects but could not arrest them because they were being protected.

Police detective Inspector Hudson Dowe, the lead investigator in the case, made the revelation while testifying at the Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. He was supporting the State’s objection to a bail application filed by defense lawyers.

Inspector Dowe said law enforcers encountered significant challenges in apprehending the suspects after an arrest warrant was issued, as the accused had gone into hiding and were not found at their usual residences.

When asked why the suspects—who have reportedly lived in Lilongwe since the alleged crime in 2024—suddenly went into hiding, Inspector Dowe explained that they had “nothing to fear before September 2025 because they were immune.”
He, however, did not elaborate on the nature or source of that alleged immunity.

The detective further warned that releasing the suspects on bail could pose a serious risk to public safety, claiming they wield considerable influence over several migodi in Area 36 and Mchesi, where they could commit further crimes.

Supporting the objection, State prosecutors Moja Phiri and Prescott Mwaiulipo argued that the accused have a history of intimidating police officers.

“Your Worship, these individuals have been intimidating police officers at Lingadzi Police Station. They even displayed the same behavior within the court premises. What more if they are set free?” the prosecutors said.

The State further argued that granting bail could endanger witnesses, particularly those who have already testified, citing the accused’s conduct as a matter of concern.

However, defense lawyer George Jivason Kadzipatike countered that the prosecution had “miserably failed” to justify why bail should be denied. He emphasized that under Malawian law, all criminal cases are bailable, and the State had not presented credible evidence that the accused would abscond or fail to appear for trial if released.

Kadzipatike urged the court to dismiss the State’s objections, saying the focus should be on the accused persons’ commitment to attend court until the case concludes.

“If courts were to deny bail based on the reasoning advanced by the prosecution, no suspect in Malawi would ever qualify for bail,” he argued.

Speaking to journalists after the case was adjourned, Kadzipatike also expressed concern over what he termed “abuse of authority” by law enforcement agencies, claiming that his clients have repeatedly been arrested and rearrested despite being granted bail.

“Our clients have consistently been arrested and rearrested after being granted bail. We feel this is an abuse of authority and a violation of court procedures,” he said.

Meanwhile Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate Breacious Kondowe has reserved his ruling on the bail application to Wednesday.

Eight suspects among them Bruno Mulo Makina, Erick Phakamisa, Davie Malamulo, Issa Saidi are facing charges of assaulting civil servants who were holding demonstrations at the War Memorial Tower in Area 18, Lilongwe, on March 19, 2024.