Malawi’s activists demand K50m

Malawi’s taxpayers may cough at least K50 million (about $200 000) to compensate five activists arrested by the late president Bingu wa Mutharika’s government if a court agrees with their demand.

In July, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) formally discontinued the case against the four human rights activists and a youth leader who were locked up in October last year for a demonstration they held to coincide with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) summit.

The activists, who were protesting the late Mutharika’s poor governance, are Billy Mayaya, Ben Chiza Mkandawire, Habiba Osman, Brian Nyasulu and Osman’s cousin, Comfort Chitseko.

Osman confirmed the development on Wednesday.