SALC & CHREAA: Despite being a constitutional democracy, local authorities in Malawi continue to perpetuate the colonial legacy by criminalising poverty and inequality through the incessant administration of draconian colonial pieces of legislation and bylaws which militate against fundamental rights of marginalised persons.

In 2022, the Blantyre City Council indicated its intention to demolish the market opposite Queen Elizabeth Hospital and forcibly evict the informal traders without providing them with notice and reasons for eviction.

These marginalised communities were later rescued from the abuse after the legal intervention by a human rights defenders, SALC and CHREAA through a temporary High Court application to restrain the local authority from forcibly evicting them without taking proper legal channels.

Fortunately, after the protracted legal battle, the High Court of Malawi granted a temporary order restraining the Blantyre City Council from forcibly evicting them without due notice and reason.

This development was described by SALC executive director Anneke Meerkotter as a continuation of colonial legacy meant to worsen poverty levels among marginalised African communities.

Read full article: Poverty a criminal offence in Malawi