Leader of persons with albinism in Malawi off to South Africa
Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (Apam) president Overston Kondowe has on Monday left for South Africa.
In a one sentence message with him a lady at an airport and a South African airways aircraft on the background, he wrote: “When your country refuses to be a home.”
A close friend said he is going to South Africa “for a safe space,” he has not elaborated.
Kondowe left the country just a day after leaving Dae Yang Hospital in Lilongwe where he was admitted to following severe assault by police for leading a protest against President Peter Mutharika’s decision to cancel a scheduled meeting at an eleventh hour.
Most of the key leaders, including secretary for Apam Ian Simbota were arrested for leading the protests which the police dealt with violently.
The people with albinism want to meet Mutharika to discuss with him the escalating attacks, abductions and killings of people with albinism.
APAM publicity secretary Nellie Mlenga has said people with albinism intends to visit some embassies in the country to request for asylum in their respective countries if Mutharika continues to ignore them for a meeting.
Mulenga said persons with albinism no longer feel safe in Malawi.
“We would rather go to countries where we can be safe,” said Mulenga.
She however said the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has offered to mediate on the matter, saying officials want to book an appointment with Mutharika.
She said APAM will give dialogue a chance before seeking asylum in other countries.
Mulenga wondered why the government acted swiftly after 23 people were killed in floods and is failing to act the same after 23 persons with albinism have been killed so far.
People with albinism protested on Saturday after Mutharika cancelled the scheduled meeting to go to the south, prompting the people with albinism to block a road.
Police reacted with heavy handedness by beating them and arresting them but police spokesperson James Kadadzera refutes that the law enforcers assaulted the persons with albinism although there are video clips to prove this.
Meanwhile, commentators have urges stakeholders to give dialogue a chance as the State will make the taxpayer to foot an unplanned K22.9 million as costs for the hosting of members of Apam during their foiled State House vigils in Lilongwe last week.
Presidential adviser on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Mavuto Bamusi said in an interview yesterday that government will pay the amount as costs for transporting and hosting Apam members at the Malawi Institute of Management (MIM) campus in Kanengo, Lilongwe.
Persons with albinism (PWAs), who last week staged a protest march en route to their abortive vigil at Kamuzu Palace to demand a commitment for their protection amid atrocities perpetrated against them since November 2014, were lodged at MIM on full board arrangement.
Malawi is experiencing a resurgence of attacks against persons with albinism, with two fatalities and three abductions since 31 December 2018. Two of those who were abducted were later rescued by community members, one remains missing.
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I do not know why he chose RSA.Albinos are being killed here too
The stupendous thing that Kondowe did was to be in the arm pit of Mtambo. I don’t feel sorry for him. We knew kuti Kondowe ndi obalalika. But why is the whole Govt and security fear Mtambo to the point that even Police Deputy IG Nyondo being pointed fingers at by Mtambo. Useless police
Overstone and your team, you should have gone to close the state house. Mumachedwaso ndichani inu? Peter Mutharika is useless!
Questions are…
Where did he get the money for airticket? where will he be staying in RSA?
Surely someone has sponsered this idiot and we all know who …
watola chikwama basi waganiza zopita kunja kuwasiya anzake , and you call yourself a leader…shame !!!!!!!!
Mr president please forget about Kondowe kulibwino kugwira ntchito ndikagulu ka new kaja and help a nyamata a pamodzi theater omwe akuphunzitsa athu through talent ndinamve moyenda on MIJ zopatsa chidwi support them
Mind you Kondowe was a working class who has a Masters Degree and was also a part time lecturer at one of the reknown Private Universities, so you mean he can fail to buy an air ticket.
22.9 million expenses for hosting ,hahahahahaahaha
Mutharika 2024 oooye
The truth of all this version is that Overstone Kondowe has gone politics and has funding from Hamdan Arafat. People with Albinism in Malawi, have you seen how this guy has fooled you? Overstone had an agenda to fight for himself in disguise of fighting for all Albinos in Malawi. Today he has flown to RSA where he will continue with his good life. If indeed Kondowe was fighting for you, could he fly haphazardly like this? This is a good lesson to you. Kajoloweka and Mtambo did the same. They damped you on the gate of State House when… Read more »
Guys let us be honest. 23 people hunted, killed, abducted in gruesome manner and the president refuses to call this state of emergency? This is life guys. Honestly these people were justified to hold a vigil. Zinazi tisamapangire zibwana. Lets be serious for once. For the president to cling to Mzuzu and refuses to come back to state house ndi uchitsiru weni weni. Coming back and ran away to the South mkupusa zedi kwa president. A sound minded president cannot ran away from meeting his people. This tells more about the clip that Him knows the issue well and he… Read more »
He led people to an illegal closure of the road knowing the police would not condone that. The pictures of him lying in a hospital bed. All those were part of a publicity stunt. Now he is leaving for a safe haven in South Africa. The next thing you will hear he is on his way to the States. That was his ultimate goal. Question what will happen to his flock. Not every albino can afford a plane ticket. Shame on you Mr Alpam President. The whole charade was about you and your girlfriend assuming she is.
Actually they wasted precious time here. They should have gone straight to close the State House because Malawi has a useless occupant there.
Iwe Nellie chidudu Mulenga wasowa nchito. Leave thus MCP guy alone. Too much politics. Am sorry for you. Don’t mention of the government. The government ia s very concerned . koma inuyi ndi Khondowe aaah. Pls namulenga myemba wane. Azingokukwela nkukupasa matendaaaaa
This is personalization of a straight forward issue…………! If you’ve personal issues with Mulenga then this is not the forum for that!
Foolishness at its peak. Do not raise personal issues with Namulenga on this platform.