By Our Correspondent
The unmistakable stench of impunity from Malawi’s past is refusing to fade, as one of the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) most vocal youth figures, lawyer Bob Chimkango, finds himself at the centre of a dramatic brush with the law.
Chimkango, widely known for his allegiance to the DPP’s militant youth wing—infamously called cadets—was arrested Tuesday afternoon for driving under the influence of alcohol and dangerously evading a police checkpoint in Bangwe, Blantyre. His arrest is already stirring debate across the country about whether DPP-aligned figures have truly reformed, or if they are still stuck in the old culture of lawlessness that characterised the previous administration.
According to police, the 43-year-old lawyer was intercepted while recklessly attempting to bypass a roadblock near Bangwe police station around 3:30 PM. Officers flagged down his Mercedes-Benz (registration CZ 3), but Chimkango veered off the road in a brazen attempt to avoid the barrier. Suspicious of his behaviour, police pursued him in a patrol vehicle.
As the high-speed chase continued through Limbe towards Namiyango, officers were forced to fire warning shots in the air to stop the vehicle. One stray bullet reportedly struck the passenger side of Chimkango’s car, but did not cause any serious injuries. When finally stopped near Enegen Filling Station, officers found Chimkango visibly intoxicated. Multiple bottles of alcohol were strewn inside the vehicle. A breathalyzer test confirmed his blood alcohol level at 1.3mg/L—well over the legal limit.
He was immediately taken into custody and treated for a minor bullet scratch on his hand. Police have since charged him with two counts: failing to comply with a police stop signal under Section 39(3) of the Police Act, and drunk driving under Section 128 of the Traffic Act.
Observers say Chimkango’s conduct mirrors the arrogance and disregard for law that DPP cadets became infamous for during the Mutharika era—when flaunting “Ana a Dad” slogans on number plates often meant automatic immunity from the law.
In contrast, the current Tonse Alliance administration has demonstrated a firm commitment to the rule of law, showing that even politically connected individuals will face justice. Chimkango remains in custody pending a court appearance, a reminder that Malawi is no longer a playground for political hooligans, but a country trying to rebuild its institutions—one arrest at a time.
