“Friend-Turned-Attacker: Man Who Tried to Kill Namiwa Was Once His Ally”
The individual responsible for the near-fatal attack on Malawian activist Silvester Namiwa was someone he had previously regarded as a friend and collaborator.
In a startling development concerning one of Malawi’s most notable political incidents this year, an inquiry conducted by the Platform for Investigative Journalism (PIJ) has uncovered that one of the assailants involved in the June 26 attack on activist Silvester Namiwa was a man he once viewed as a companion.
The report, titled “Pangas and Politics: The Men Who Nearly Killed Namiwa,” identifies Nelson Chipokosa, a former nightclub bouncer and long-time resident of Lilongwe, as a central figure in the machete-wielding group that ambushed Namiwa. Video evidence from the incident shows Chipokosa alongside Steve Kadammanja, another alleged enforcer associated with a clandestine group reportedly operating under political directives.
Chipokosa’s connection to this violent act has left those familiar with him in disbelief. Several individuals from his gym and other acquaintances informed PIJ that he frequently claimed to have a close bond with Namiwa. One individual recounted, “He used to say they were friends and even spoke over the phone.” Another added, “Seeing him in the video attacking Silvester felt surreal—a nightmare.”
When approached by PIJ for comment, Namiwa provided a cautious reply, suggesting that while he may have interacted indirectly with Chipokosa through security personnel he hired, he refrained from discussing their alleged phone communications in detail. “Let me not speak about those things,” he stated carefully.
Video footage from the assault depicts Chipokosa wearing a blue shirt and camouflage bucket hat while leading part of the violent confrontation. He is believed to have participated in attempts to force Namiwa into an unregistered Toyota Fortuner, an action that nearly escalated into abduction.
Adding to concerns surrounding this case, Chipokosa—once well-known for his work in Lilongwe’s nightlife security—left his position abruptly before commencing construction on a home in Area 23. Some former colleagues suspect that his new lifestyle may be financially supported by political activities aimed at undermining Namiwa. When contacted by PIJ for comment, Chipokosa ended the call abruptly and expressed anger over how his number had been acquired.
Beyond personal betrayal, the findings from PIJ highlight a more profound issue of political violence within Malawi. Despite available video footage, eyewitness statements, and identified suspects, law enforcement has yet to make any arrests. Sources within the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) allege that high-ranking party officials—possibly including cabinet ministers—approved the attack and allegedly set aside up to K70 million to disrupt Namiwa’s protests.
As public outrage grows alongside President Lazarus Chakwera’s promises of accountability, this unsettling betrayal at the core of these events symbolizes an alarming decline in trust and safety within Malawi’s democratic landscape. A human rights advocate succinctly reflected on this situation: “When friends become attackers, it illustrates just how deeply entrenched this political decay has become.”
