Catholic Commission laments pathetic state of life for Malawians, resurgence of corruption
Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP)of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has expressed concern over the country’s leadership “abrogation of duty” by allowing corruption to thrive, the worrying state of lack of respect for the law, public insecurity, especially for vulnerable groups and the neglect of longstanding and entrenched social injustices in Malawi.
In a statement entitled ‘Disturbing trends of lawlessness, insecurity and neglect of thriving social injustices in Malawi’, CCJP has warned that Malawians will no longer tolerate this trend.
CCJP catalogues a number of cases of suffering and deaths of Malawians as a result of corruption and failure by President Lazarus Chakwera’s led government to curb lawlessness and violence.
“We further note that the Catholic Bishops, under the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), have previously condemned such lawlessness, corruption, social injustices in form of deep-rooted inequalities and the abrogation of duty of care for citizens,” says the statement, which the CCJP national coordinator Boniface Chibwana, has signed.
“It is saddening to note that there is a resurgence of corruption espoused or championed by the governing elite and their close associates,” reads the strongly-worded statement dated 24 October 2020.
CCJP warns that Malawi is gradually slipping into a “State capture by a few while the majority of Malawians are mired in poverty.”
The Catholics accuse the government of selective justice by not acting on the corrupt people aligned to the present political regime.
It further slams the government for failing to protect the poor from injustices on access to land and the loans under the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF).
The CCJP hints at the lack of direction by the government as it accuses leadership for continuing to treat the injustices Malawians are facing “through political statements than policy and legal action”.
It describes the Tonse Alliance government loan schemes and social protection schemes as highly-politicised, manipulated, corrupt and nepotist.
“It is CCJP’s considered view that the majority poor fail to access land and they have problems benefitting from the highly politicised public loan schemes because of corrupt systems, political patronage, nepotism and rent-seeking behaviours within the Government,” says the Catholic body.
It further says failure by the government to address these social and economic injustices which Malawians are suffering from is breeding mob violence, increasing lawlessness, entrenching socio-economic inequalities and deepening mistrust of citizens on the leaders.
And it warns that Malawians will no longer tolerate government’s lip service and tokenistic actions on their suffering.
“Government’s window-dressing on these injustices through political rhetorical tones from governing politicians will no longer be tolerated in the Malawi of today,” says CCJP
The organizations cites degradation of public security, thriving ritual and witchcraft based violence, rising cases of defilement of young girls and increasing incidents of theft as a demonstration of systemic defects in the protection systems of the country.
Catholic governance arm blames this trend of injustices on the absence of a concrete plan by this government and its sleeping on duty.
“Lack of political will in instituting lasting solutions to curb attacks, killings, abductions and human rights threats to persons with albinism is worrisome. Concrete actions from the Government to combat these vices beyond political rhetoric are missing and this is tantamount to abrogation of State duty to protect its citizens,” says CCJP in a hard-hitting statement.
Malawi is witnessing a growing culture of violence. And analysts say it is the legacy of the Tonse Alliance who used violence to force a fresh a presidential election that effectively toppled Peter Mutharika.
For instance, social and mainstream media accounts show that in the past two weeks alone, Malawi has recorded more 10 cases of violence against women and girl children.
Last week, an angry mob of land-deprived people torched buildings and other property at Kumbali Lodge in Lilongwe.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesperson Brown Mpinganjira said Chakwera is the sole author of the predicament he now finds himself in for encouraging lawlessness with his ‘Msunde barracks.”
He said Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party (MCP) ministers are encouraging land seizures.
Mpinganjjira said if Chakwera will be doing selective justice, he will be a caricature of the delinquent African ruler who has lost his way.
There is also public uproar at the corruption activities in the corridors of power .
Questions are being raised the K65 million which State House spent on accommodation for some dubious foreign security agents at Crossroads Hotel and how Minister of Foreign Affairs Eisenhower Mkaka amassed so much money in his short time as cabinet minister for him to buy a K45 million vehicle purchase.
In August 2020 CCJP issued a statement calling upon the national leadership to consider conducting life style audits for those governing and their associates in a bid to effectively combat corruption in the country.
CCJP was established to promote God’s reign of justice and peace and uphold human dignity through institutionalising principles of democracy; respect for human rights and freedoms; citizen participation; good governance; rule of law and access to quality public services.
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Selective justice sitikuyifuna tinatopanayo. Uladi Mussa abused office wakalowa koma why is there no respect of court order on tractorgate?
Chakwera is only good at leading demonstrations and not necessarily leading government. Monse wayambira ‘give me time’ , ‘give me time’ koma chomwe akupanga chosawoneka. Now people in the southern region have received planting rains but seed and fertilizer are nowhere to be seen. Abusa, please wake up and know that we can’t keep waiting forever. We want to plant NOW!!!!!
When you bring issues bring them with facts and not just opinions. Are you trying to please your donors? NGOs are busy writing nonsense just to get more funding from Mzungu. Last someone lied about homosexuals in Mangochi being given food rations. Corruption is not only about stealing money but acting like conmen.
govt cannot serve everyone at the same time. the picture government is trying to shape cannot happen in a day. remember malume government is people. Do not speak on my behalf. I will wait before i rush commenting no sense lying to the world. Olo mutakhala inu amene mukuti mumathanu kuyendetsa dziko…you cannot at once sway everything to start working for the better for everyone. its shame for such a big institution to serve a few people affiliated to the opposition. Do not argue to what Lazalo and Saulos are planning and doing to work out Malawi’s socio-economic hardors. Take note, be patient and work towards a common good.
Ndiye bodzatu. Miyezi Itatu yomweyi? Kukwiya poti ka udindo kajaka kakiphonyani biggie? Mtsikana kugwiriridwa ku Nchalo mwati nsi boma lomweri? Namachende uja anatumidwa kuti azikagwirirra anthu? Report loyang’ana mbali imodzi nanga awa munkadya nawo amangidwawa simuyamikira?
Let’s put things into perspective here, first, it’s only three momths since we employed Laz et al, and a bit of parience is required for progress to be seen on the ground. And time is what they’ve got to reverse and correct the maladministration previous and the current mushrooming, and they have our patience, but the longer it takes and nothing concrete happens, the Administration is risking all the goodwill they have from the citizens and the consequences could be dire. We the citizens have demonstrated that we are willing to wait and tolerate some shortcomings of this Administration. These shortcomings (no need to mention) are contrary to what they preached to do away with when they are elected during the campaign trail. They promised to revolutionise our politics and focus on the need for action and development as oppossed to plain bickering, finger pointing and useless gimmics and rhetoric. We are patient but for how long??? They have all the answers and time to do the right things. They need to be decisive in their actions. Or else,,,,,
izi inakakhala nthawi ya DPP bwenzi ili nkhani pa ZODIAK KOMA POTI ZBS ILI M’BOMA, IYI SINKHANI, NANGA 65 MILLION STATE HOUSE CORRUPTION CASE IJA BWA? A HUMPRY MVULA, SLOW DOWN, THE GOVERNMENT YOU BACKING WILL LET YOU DOWN .CORRUTION PRACTICES HAVE STARTED BEING EXPOSED BUT STILL YOU ARE ON TOP PRAIING IT.A GOOD POLOTICAL SCIENTIST LIKE YOU WILL ALWAYS BALANCE UP YOUR OBSERVATIONS NOT ONE SIDED LIKE YOU SRE DOING? MAY BE YOU WANT TO BE GIVEN MINISTRIAL POST WHAT ASHAME.
Dear government ministers, honorable President and all those who are in a position of power to make changes, The article is 100% spot on. Lawlessness and violence toward vulnerable groups has increased, since the fresh elections. Please take the information presented in the article seriously and ensure added provisions to protect the public and to uphold the rule of law, justice and human rights. Thanks.
Bob,
A citizen of Lilongwe
I agree with CCJP. Nothing is happening people are waiting but thr government doesn’t show any dign of effectiveness. Those weekly press briefings are not even holding water so they must pull up their socks & turn things around. People had confidence in them that’s why they voted enmasse. So its time to deliver. The problem of rent seeking politicians, & recycled ones. The likes of Mia everyone knows that the guy is a crook but because he has got money none is speaking.
Government is serious business which requires maturity and zeal.In Malawi we elect leaders blindly as per their promises on their party manifesto.More looting is very eminent as the same stock which was in past governments is being recruited for high profile jobs.Khoswe akakhala pa mkhate sapheka obusa.You cannot serve God and marmon.Choose one and leave YAHWE for the poor Malawians.
Proud of you CCJP.
Oooops!!! zayambika. NOKHA Alliance making blunders every step of the way. Too much talking but nothing good happening on the ground,eish, munya muona! Mumaona ngati kuyendetsa boma ndi phada eti.
Are you talking about DPP regime or Tonse govt regime, help me plz….exactly 3 months down the line muchite msonkhano nkumati boma likulephera, koma zoona??? Never be used plz ndipo we hold CCJP in high esteem osati mbwelerazi, musazipange dilute pilizi a CCJP
Inenso dabwi kudabwa. 3 months yomweyi?
We need to arrest APM and company. On corruption and money laundering.
..too bad for me and fellow poor citizens..
Please cadets do not blow the issue of Mkaka out of proportion. He explained that he was handsomely compensated for unfair dismissal at FMB and at the same time as an MP he is entitled to a loan. As Malawians we should fight the injustice that government should be paying for half of the MPs loans. That is stealing tax payers money. We should also fight that MPs should also be paying duty just like any other person. Why should they de given special treatment for something that they chose to do. Did we force them to become MPs.
Thats true. He should tell us how much was his compensation. He should also tell us what kind of loans was he taking from FMB to enable him build a MK300 million house. How was he repaying such huge loans. What was his salary?
you must be nkaka
You must be a cadet.
Zayambika tsopano,ndi Chaka chomwe sichinathe.
CCJP is mixing up things making their presentation not very touching. Try to emulate HRDC which is spot on and does not speak wildly
Blind ass licker
Miyezi 4 koma zochitika za utambwali zambiri. For progress and sanity sake Chakwera needs to reshuffle his cabinet. He is carrying too many Hyenas on board and they will be his downfall.
If indeed you are a listening president, take note of these warnings. Past presidents assumed these organisations are just spiteful and it led to their doom. Listen and make the necessary changes. It seems the government is messing up too quickly too soon
Chakwera akapusa won’t last 5 years. Will be like Bingus last term marred with demos. He is quickly losing political goodwill.
Mr. Talktalk has failed decimally. He though kuyendesa boma ndi phada. Uidziwa Nsundwe. You thought Mulungu sakuona pamene umalanda boma mwa upandu pogwiritsa ntchito malawyers. Amalawi akuona zonsezi. Cabinet ya banja limodzi, maboard a Chewa. Ana a satana inu muziona.