Why are the villagers right to not trust the government? What happens when their village chief speaks at the rally?

The villagers are right not to trust the government because the government does nothing to protect the villagers' lives, and it provides no assistance or improvements to the village itself. When Chief Wembe is invited to speak at one of Muluzi's rallies, he is beaten up after addressing the crowd because he said something the President disapproved of.