Condemnation of Alleged Physical Assault by Blantyre City Mayor, Mr. Jomo Osman
The Malawi Human Rights Commission (the Commission) wishes to express its strongest condemnation of the deeply troubling incident involving the Mayor of Blantyre City, Mr. Jomo Osman, who was captured on a video that was broadcast live on the Mayor’s Facebook page, allegedly physically and verbally assaulting a woman accused of buying stolen goods. The Commission further condemns the alleged assault of men who were also present in the video and who were allegedly physically attacked by men accompanying the Mayor. These acts are not only criminal but also a grave violation of the fundamental human rights and dignity to which every Malawian citizen is entitled, regardless of their circumstances.
As the Commission, we are the designated custodians of the Gender Equality Act, and it is both our mandate and our solemn duty to speak out unequivocally whenever that law is violated. The Gender Equality Act exists precisely to protect women and girls from violence, not only from harm and abuse. No accusation, however serious, grants any individual the right to take the law into their own hands and inflict physical harm on another individual. The rule of law must be respected, and justice must be pursued through lawful and constitutional means, not through vigilantism or brutality.
What makes this incident particularly grievous is the perpetrator’s position. Mr. Jomo Osman, as Mayor of Blantyre City and Chairperson of Malawi Local Government Association (MALGA), is a public servant entrusted with the welfare and safety of the very citizens he has sworn to serve. His position does not place him above the law; it demands a higher standard of conduct. When a leader raises his hand against a woman in public, he not only harms her body; he erodes public trust, undermines the rule of law, and sends a deeply dangerous message that power can be used to abuse the vulnerable. The Commission categorically rejects that message. The Commission is further deeply concerned that the video, broadcast publicly and live on the Mayor’s Facebook page, shows underaged persons witnessing the alleged assaults. Exposing children to scenes of violence is harmful to their psychological wellbeing and development, and the Commission condemns this aspect of the incident in the strongest possible terms.
We call upon the relevant law enforcement authorities to act swiftly, decisively, and without fear or favour to investigate this matter and ensure that Mr Osman is fully accountable for his actions. We further call upon all leaders across Malawi, at every level of government and in public life, to uphold the dignity and safety of all citizens, particularly women and children, who continue to bear a disproportionate burden of gender-based violence in our society.
The Commission will continue to monitor this matter closely and will not rest until justice is done. The Commission equally stands with the men who were allegedly assaulted in this incident. Violence against any person, man or woman, is never justified and will never be tolerated.
Chikondi Chijozi Chairperson 2nd May 2026
