Blantyre City Mayor Isaac Jomo Osman is facing a police investigation and calls for his immediate arrest after a viral Facebook Live video showed him allegedly assaulting a woman accused of buying stolen goods. According to Nyasa Times, National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo confirmed that Osman was summoned for questioning and a caution statement was recorded. Chimtembo stated that the mayor has not yet been formally arrested, as authorities are currently working to locate the victim to obtain her statement before proceeding with criminal charges.
The incident has drawn fierce condemnation from several advocacy groups, including the Malawi Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Consultative Committee. In a public statement, the Malawi Human Rights Commission described the mayor's actions as a direct assault on the rule of law. The commission warned that delays in prosecution risk eroding public confidence in the justice system and noted that the live broadcast exposed children to violence while normalising brutality by a public official.
Human Rights Consultative Committee Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba stated that subjecting individuals to instant punishment is unlawful and degrading, regardless of the suspected crime. The committee has demanded an immediate inquiry by the Ministry of Local Government. According to Nyasa Times, the rights body has threatened to seek judicial intervention to strip Osman of his mayoral title if authorities fail to hold him accountable.