Ongoing cases

Malawi: Challenging constitutionality of offence which criminalises poverty

Factual Background One of the enduring legacies of colonialism in Africa is the police practice of arbitrary mass arrests. These so-called ‘sweeping’ or ‘swooping’ exercises are typically conducted by police over weekends and at night. Such sweeping exercises tend to have very general objectives, meaning that persons are arrested, for…

Anneke Meerkotter21 Feb 2019

Health Rights Malawi Ongoing cases

Malawi: Seeking an effective and humane response to MDR-TB in prisons

Case Citation: Banda & Others v the Attorney General & Others (Constitutional Case No 120 of 2018), Zomba District Registry; Makwiza & Another v the Attorney General & Others (Civil Cause No 75 of 2019), Zomba District Registry SALC is working with the Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and…

Annabel Raw17 Jan 2019

Health Rights Malawi Ongoing cases

Malawi: Enforcing Prisoners’ Right to Adequate Nutrition

SALC is working with the Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) in Malawi to support a case brought by a prisoner, Mr James Gremu, and CHREAA on behalf of all inmates in which the persistent failure of the Malawi government to provide adequate nutrition in detention settings…

Annabel Raw17 Jan 2019

Botswana Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association Ongoing cases

Botswana: Access to Information Request

In 2017, the Botswana Gazette requested information from the Water Utilities Corporation relating to a report which had been commissioned on the blocking of the flow of water from the Gaborone Dam. On 22 June 2017, the applicant filed an application for an order that the respondent's refusal to provide…

Anneke Meerkotter25 Dec 2018

Eswatini Freedom of Expression, Assembly and Association Ongoing cases

Eswatini: Right to freedom of assembly

Factual Background The Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) organized a country wide protest that was to occur on 17, 18, and 19 September 2018. It was to be held in four locations: Mbabane, Manzini, Nhlangano and Siteki. On 10 September 2018, a full seven days before the first day…

Anneke Meerkotter1 Oct 2018

Business and Human Rights Malawi Ongoing cases Women’s Land and Property Rights

Malawi: Protecting rural women from negative impacts of the extractive industries

SALC is assisting the Kanyika Community based at Kanyika in the Mzimba District of Malawi to recover damages and compensation arising from extensive mining and prospecting operations conducted by Globe Metals and Mining (Africa) Limited (Globe Metals) with the authority of the Mzimba District Commissioner. The Kanyika Community—consisting of 1042…

Brigadier Siachitema18 Sep 2018

Children's Rights Eswatini Ongoing cases Rule of Law Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

Eswatini (Swaziland): Challenging laws allowing child marriage

In February 2017, SALC supported WLSA in Eswatini to file a case challenging laws that allow child marriage. The challenge is to sections of the Marriage Act and customary law that allow a girl who is under 18 years to contract a valid marriage. The case is currently on hold…

Tambudzai Gonese15 Jun 2018

Criminal Justice Malawi Ongoing cases

Malawi: Challenging the offence of begging

Factual Background Thirteen individuals were arrested and charged under section 180(b) of the Penal Code at different places in Blantyre. They appeared together before the magistrate on 12 April 2017 and were at that stage informed that the charge included that they were vandalising people’s cars if the people refused…

Anneke Meerkotter21 Mar 2018

Business and Human Rights Focus areas Focus countries Ongoing cases Women’s Land and Property Rights Zambia

ZAMBIA: PREVENTING THE DISPLACEMENT OF RURAL WOMEN FROM THEIR CUSTOMARY LAND

SALC is assisting the Munte Community of Senior Chief Muchinda (the Community) with retaining the land they have occupied and farmed for generations. The Community is challenging the allocation by the local land authority to commercial farmers without consultation or compensation. In 1995, a businessman (1st Respondent) was engaged to…