By Wendy Mkandawire
The Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has urged the justice system to set a date and time for the bail application hearing in the case involving its Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa.
The call comes after Namiwa was formally charged on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court with treason and publishing false news likely to cause harm to the public, according to Chief Resident Magistrate Austin Banda.
In a statement signed by CDEDI Communications Officer Promise Thom, the organization said it welcomes the state’s application to commit Namiwa’s case to the High Court of Malawi from the Chief Resident Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe.
Thom said while it is the prerogative of the Court to determine the pace of proceedings, CDEDI hopes the bail application process will not be delayed, considering that Namiwa has already spent four days in police custody.
CDEDI has also expressed gratitude to various civil society organizations, political parties, and members of the public for standing in solidarity with its Director.
Namiwa was arrested on Thursday, July 30, 2026 by officers from Area 30 Police Station and was later transferred to Lingadzi Police Station before being officially charged on Monday by Lilongwe Magistrate Court.
