Update: The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has issued a strong rebuke to the Malawi Police Service, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of detained activist Sylvester Namiwa, according to Nyasa Times. Namiwa has been held since July 30 after voluntarily appearing for questioning. The MHRC criticized his ongoing detention without formal charges as arbitrary and unconstitutional, accusing the police of using arrest powers to pressure the suspect rather than conducting proper investigations. The commission issued an ultimatum for authorities to either formally charge Namiwa in a competent court or release him at once.
Meanwhile, government officials have issued a public alert regarding the growing use of social media platforms by human trafficking syndicates. Speaking in Lilongwe during the commemoration of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Homeland Security Minister Peter Mukhito warned that criminal networks are increasingly hunting victims through Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok, Nation Online reports. He urged Malawians to remain vigilant against these digital tactics and called for better cyber capabilities and cross-border cooperation to combat this digital evolution of the crime.