The Unknown Prisoners of Kamuzu Banda

Political prisoners in the era of Ngwazi Hastings Kamuzu Banda were popular. As a life president, anyone that posed a threat to his dictatorship was an enemy of the nation. Thus, many people were detained in prisons such as Mikuyu and Zomba without a chance of a trial. They were thrown in there to rot with no care in the world. While as a country, we celebrate those that fought the unjust system of Banda, such as Orton and Vera Chirwa, the Chipemberes, Chisizas, and more. I have found that there are more who were impacted by the system but their stories have never been told. Such is a story of my uncle which, with his help, I have decided to share today.

Let us go back in time, the year is 1991.........

It was the 19th of March, the hype of Martyr's Day was just dying out and work back to normal. A young Scott sat at his desk writing internal invoices for the previous day's requisitions. He had arrived early because as normal as the day seemed, he had received grave news from his wife's village. His wife had lost her grandmother that morning. His aim for the day was to finish as much work as possible before he asked for leave to attend the burial.

Within moments, the Police College was abuzz, all offices operational, and the chatter around the campus. As he was concentrating on his work, he heard the sounds of footsteps approach his office. Immediately he realized, some of his work was meant to be put on hold. Just as he was closing his book, the door swung open and a smiling Masankho emerged.

It hadn't been long since the two had seen each other, however, both were excited to share some of the stories happening. Masankho was not stationed at the Police College in Zomba, he was a Sergeant working in the mail office at the National Police Headquarters in Area 30, Lilongwe. Each time they saw each other, they exchanged news of what was happening in their respective camps. If Masankho was in Zomba longer, they would share the news over packets of Chibuku at a tavern around the city. Such was their friendship.

Immediately Scott saw him, he too broke a smile. Pleasantries were exchanged before Masankho shut the door behind him. In his hands, two envelopes which Scott assumed were requisition forms. Scott worked in the Quarter Master's Store, where armory and more were kept. However, as Masankho handed him the first envelope, his tone went down, almost near deaf. This caught Scott off-guard as he had never known his friend to be a quiet talker. What came out of his mouth shocked him more.

"I recently got ahold of this letter from Kanyama Chiume. It has not been published, in fact, has been banned, but I thought it might interest you to read it" said Masankho.

Immediately, Scott became skeptical. He knew that reading a banned letter of Kanyama Chiume was almost the same as committing treason. Chiume was an enemy of the state, and he, as a policeman, was very aware of the consequences. Matter of fact, the idea of anyone knowing that he had the letter in his hands would get him in trouble. But the excitement to read what insults Chiume had for Kamuzu Banda was too much to pass the opportunity. So, he accepted it.

....................................................................................................................................................Chiume was a key leader in the 1964 Malawi Cabinet Crisis. He was labeled the leader of the crisis and an enemy of Banda after displeasing Banda with a speech in Cairo during a conference for the Organisation of African Unity. He was subsequently driven out of the (now renamed) Malawi Congress Party and exiled to Tanzania from 1964 to 1994.

While in exile, Chiume became active with Tanzania's "The Nationalist," "Daily News and Sunday News," and "Uhuru" newspapers. He also became an author and publisher of numerous books. He returned to Malawi in 1994 after internal and international pressure on Dr. Banda. After his return, Chiume briefly served as Chairman of Malawi National Library Service and the Malawi Book Service. He retired from active politics and eventually moved to New York to live with family before his death on November 21, 2007.

....................................................................................................................................................

He took the letter and put it in his drawer, a read to be done the minute he was free. With swiftness, he arranged everything from the requisition form and sent Masankho on his way. As Masankho was leaving, he shouted to Scott that they would discuss the letter the next time he was in town. They would only meet again in prison.

It was not long since Masankho left that another pair of boots were heard approaching, then a knock. Before he could instruct the person to enter, the door swung open. Another smile appeared, his friend Chikondi had appeared. Chikondi worked at the Police College too, in the Radio Communication department. He would visit during his break to chat and catch up.

Scott quickly told him about the funeral he was meant to attend and that he was busy. However, Chikondi insisted that he stick around until his break was done, which Scott allowed. To entertain his guest, he quickly told him what he had been told by Masankho. Upon hearing the story, Chikondi insisted that he have a swift look at the letter. And he did.

Before he could explain what was in the letter, the intercom light came on and Chikondi was called back to his station. For the second time that day, Scott promised Chikondi to discuss it when he got back. They would see each other in a cell.

After his friend had left, Scott also left the office and made his way to the Officer in Charge's own, an office that was a block away. When he got there, he stood in attention and explained the grave news he had gotten. His leave was approved and he left.</p>

the snakes around

While Scott, his wife, and kids were in Ntcheu for the burial, something interesting was happening back in Zomba. Chikondi had become a mouthpiece at the tavern, sharing with his colleagues about the letter he had read in Scott's office.

Everyone heard the narration keenly, making sure not to skip a part. However, he did not know about the snakes that were around him. Posing as friends as they bought him more packets of Chibuku so that he could run his mouth more. As Chikondi left the tavern around midnight, he was unsuspecting of the discussions he had left behind. Ones that would completely change his life and those of his friends.

On the morning of the 20th, Chikondi was dressed in his uniform ready for work. As he entered the gates of the Police College, he was unaware of the stares that his peers were giving him. The air around was the same, however, after some time, he did notice that chatter would stop whenever he got there. Almost immediately, the group would disband claiming to have so much work to do.

As he got to his station, he found two officers he knew very well. They were from the CID department. Unlike their usual banter, they seemed to be serious. A pair of handcuffs were laid out on the desk, something he noticed as he took a seat behind the desk. They only asked two questions, "Where is the Kanyama Chiume letter?" "Who gave it to you?"

He was very truthful and stated where he had read them. However, after his answers, he still found himself cuffed and escorted to the cell. The last time he would be a free man for some time.

In Ntcheu, Scott was unaware of the chaos that was happening back in Zomba. The burial had been successful. Being that he and his wife were from the same village, he took it as an opportunity to visit his relatives. As he was about to cross the road, he heard a car horn and noticed the police car that had parked a few meters away. He started jogging to them and noticed that they were colleagues of his that had been transferred to the headquarters.

He greeted them with a smile but noted the concerned faces they showed him. They inquired about the letter and alerted him that a warrant of arrest had been issued for him. However, they were not to arrest him until he was back in Zomba. This was their warning to him.

As they left, the sun was just about gone and so he turned back. His appetite gone, on his mind, what he would arrive at as he got home, That night, he failed to stomach his dinner. Time seemed to fly by, before minutes, the sun was back up and it was time for them to leave. His wife and children were unaware of what was going on, just pure excitement that they were going back home.

They got on the Express bus at lunch. Every police stop they encountered, he would assume that they would arrest them. Even if it was just to check party cards. Some of the officers he met and knew greeted him with a tone of resentment. Within moments, he saw the gates of the Zomba bus depot and knew he was about to meet his fate.

He sent his wife home while he went to his favorite tavern. As he got inside, most of his colleagues started leaving upon seeing him. Not wanting to be involved with the man who was now being seen as an enemy of the state.

It was ironic, he was a son of a just-retired Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police. He was born in a police family, raised to be one, and was considered a Best Recruit in his early days in the Police. Now, a man regarded as an enemy of the state with a seditious letter, with an arrest hanging on his head. This is what was on his mind as he downed his packets of Chibuku that night.

A few moments later, from the corner of his eye, he saw a man he knew was from the CID department approach him. He was sure that this was it for him. Not wanting to be arrested while he packed was half full, he quickly drank it all and mentally readied himself. When he was right in front of him, he noted the look of concern. He did not jump around, asking him the full story and if indeed he had the letter in his possession.

Scott quickly explained that he had the letter in his possession but had not had a chance to read the contents of the letter. After he was done explaining, his friend was quiet for some time, lost in thought. Then, he gave his instruction

"Put the blame on Chikondi. Get in the office and destroy the paper. However, blame it on Chikondi, let him get the fall for it all."

He left immediately after, this was cue for Scott to call it a night too.

the morning after

The next morning, he was up by 4 am. Actually, he had not been able to sleep the whole night. He woke up, showered cold water, put on his uniform, and was off to work. He was by the gates of the police uniform at exactly 5 am. The messenger was not there yet, which meant the gates had not been opened. He stood by the gates, impatiently waiting.

Lost in thought, he had not seen the messenger arrive, what broke his chain of thought was the sound of keys and the loud,

"Mwadzuka bwanji sir"

After greeting him, he left for his office. Less than a minute, he was swinging open his drawer, took out the letter, and set it ablaze. He did not think to read it first, fearing that someone could find him before he destroyed it. With relief, he saw it perish until all there were ashes.

From his window, he saw the Officer in Charge get in his office. Then his intercom light was on, on it, the deep voice he knew very well

"Scott, please come to my office"

The time was 6 am.

slight lie

Like a snail, he slowly made his way to the OC's office. When he approached the door, he knocked just as slow, praying inside that no answer echoed from inside. But it did, the same voice he knew very well. He pushed the door open, by the desk was the man who had his fate in his hands. He was looking down at a paper but still instructed that Scott seat down by the chair in front of him.

This was the first sign. In the police force, an Officer in Charge is superior, thus all his subordinates cannot talk to him while seated. The rule was to stand in attention while he addressed you. Being told to sit down was a sign enough that Scott was not being regarded as part of the police, but rather, a civilian.

Reluctantly, he made his way to the chair and sat down with a tense posture. The OC only looked up after the seat had been taken. He was kind enough to ask how the funeral proceedings had gone and if Eric and the family had traveled back well. All of those were answered with a swift "Yes," trying to make sure that the point of the meeting was made fast.

The OC's face changed after the pleasantries. The business was to be dealt and done with.

"Where is the Kanyama Chiume letter?" he asked.

"I have no idea"

"Don't make the story harder than it already is, just hand in the letter and let's be done with it

'Ha!' Scott thought, handing in the letter would automatically mean he was guilty.

"I really have no idea"

"If that is the case, I have no choice but to hand you over to the Commissioner"

Immediately, the messenger was sent to call the driver. At the back of the pick-up were two CID officers who would be his escorts to the Commissioner's Office. These were people he had shared a drink with, but on this day, they looked at him as though he was a stranger. It was In all of this, he wondered where Chikondi was. But now, his mind was what would happen at the Commissioner's office.

The building itself was one wished to work at. It was in the middle of Zomba city, close to the District Commissioner's office. It was closer to the mighty Chancellor College and the many shops. He had always marveled at the offices here. But, he was still content with his job at the Police College.

As they got in the office, the CID officers were exchanged with officers from the Special Branch. They escorted him to see the bwana. As he got in the office, they remained outside, waiting for orders.

He stood there in attention, but again, he was asked to take a seat. This time, it did not catch him off-guard, he silently took it and waited for the man to talk. Just like the OC, the commissioner started by inquiring about the funeral proceedings and his travel. All this with a smile, once he got his answers, his face changed to stone immediately.

"I know you know why you are here Scott, where is the letter"

"I do not know anything about the letter"

"You know, your friend Chikondi said he read it from your office. In that case, you must still have it"

"But I honestly have no idea about it"

"You are trying to be difficult eh? I do not want to lose my job before my retirement age, just tell me where the goddamn letter is and we both go back to our jobs"

"I know nothing about the letter sir"

"In that case then, we have to thoroughly search before I am satisfied"

He called the officers stationed outside of his office and instructed them that they conduct a thorough search. There was no warrant or anything, but he knew not to deny the search.

In total silence, they drove back to the Police College, and back in his office, he was. They started searching everywhere, keenly checking everything. Papers were properly read one after the other, the desk was moved. As they searched, he was looking at the ashes in the dust bin, the evidence they were looking for. When they found nothing, they asked for a search at his house. Which he obliged.

Again, they searched every and anything. Leaving nothing unturned. The once made beds were now just a mess. Cushions were checked. In the end, it looked like a tornado had passed by and wrecked the whole place. It was at this moment that his wife and children knew that things were not all right at his work.

When it was obvious that there was nothing in the house, they asked him to take off his uniform and dress in civilian clothing. He slowly made his way to his room and changed into a t-shirt and jeans. When he got out, one of the officers let out a laugh and funnily told him to take a jumper just in case.

That was when he knew that he was not coming back anytime soon.

Read the rest of the story on Louisa Msiska's Blog .