Why threaten the lives of Dr. Jessie Kabwila-Kapasula, Chancellor College Academic Staff Union Acting President and Dorothy Ngoma, National Association of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi Executive Director? We need an answer from the powers-that-be on this, knowing that these unfortunate incidents are happening after President Bingu wa Mutharika told his Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) followers to deal with his critics. Dr. Kabwila-Kapasula no longer sleeps at her home in Zomba. Ngoma is in hiding, fearing for her life. Kabwila-Kapasula is being targeted simply because she seats at the head of Chanco academic staff. But issues she presents are not her own (issues), they are facts of representation. So, too, Ngoma: she is fighting for fairness and respect for human rights. Her involvement with the Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC)- which Mutharika's government claims is illegal because of its failure to register with the Council for Non-governmental Organisations in Malawi (CONGOMA)- is not a criminal offense. After all, we all have a stake in Malawi. President Mutharika, and DPP's spokesperson, Dr. Hetherwick is not doing any good to the situation by asking the affected women to identify the 'thugs' earmarked to harm them. This is unbelievable. By the time you identify the face of the thugs, they might already have deposited the 'forward' of a knife into, and through, your stomach. Remember, remember the saying: The dead give no evidence (wakufa sapereka umboni), though they (the dead) may leave traces of evidence (read,forensic evidence).This intimidation must stop. It all started with threats on Undule Mwakasungula's life. Why should people be afraid in their own land? By the way, Ntaba also said the other day (last week): "Those who feel that Malawi does not respect human rights are free to leave the country."