Chakwera assures frightened Malawians we’ll overcome Covid-19’s ‘crusade of death’:  Declares State of Disaster, Chilima to lead  health guidelines review

January 12, 2021 Wongani Chiuta - Nyasa Times 48 Comments

‘Come what may, we shall overcome!’ President Lazarus Chakwera on Tuesday had to do some straight talking to convince frightened Malawian that we can safely overcome the coronavirus pandemic’s brutal “crusade of death” and declared a State of Disaster to cut densification.

President Chakwera: Declares state of disaster and state of emergency to follow

Chakwera said this when he addressed the nation following the death of Local Government Minister Lingson Berekanyama and Transport Minister Sidik Mia who both died with Covid-19 on Tuesday.

The President admits that Malawi is  entering a new danger zone, saying the death of the two ministers is an “incalculable loss” to the nation.

He has appealed to the  international community, private sector  for support, hitting that his administration is considering declaring a ‘state of emergency’.

“What we have announced today is just a step to that; but this will require wider consultation with parliament,” he said.

President Chakwera said  he has directed ministers of Health, Information, Homeland Security, Justice, to work with Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima to review public health guidelines where necessary.

“We as a people have what it takes not only to survive this but to defeat it,” said Chakwera.

The President has reminded the public to adhere to Covid measures, saying “each one of us is not safe.”

He said: “We must all rise together and do what the health experts tell us. Each one of us must wear a mask in public, social distance, wash hands. All of us must be vigilant, we are fighting for our very lives and our future.”]

Chakwera used his address to the nation to instil confidence  and deliver a message of optimism about overcoming the  pandemic

“We as a people have what it takes to not just survive this but to defeat it.

“We must rise together as one army to defeat this. We can do it and we must do it. Each one of us must care for the health of his neighbour,” he stressed.

Continued Chakwera: “None of us is safe so that means each one of us must be vigilant.

“We are fighting for our every lives and the future of our nation and next generation. It is a fight we must win.

“Come what may, we shall overcome!”

Chakwera appealed for a huge collective effort as Malawi entered its three-day national mourning where flags will fly at half mask.

The President has  since called for an emergency meeting of the Presidential taskforce on Covid-19 to discuss further measures – likely a national lockdown.

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48 replies on “Chakwera assures frightened Malawians we’ll overcome Covid-19’s ‘crusade of death’:  Declares State of Disaster, Chilima to lead  health guidelines review”

  1. Those who opposed the shut down got what they wanted…and now they want a shut down and blame the leaders for doing nothing?!

  2. I would urge the chairs of the government Covid 19 advisory committees to form a SADC group where they can co-ordinate (electronically) the regional effort, especially as most of our countries may not get access to a vaccine any time soon. This means we need other methods of ensuring the populous is protected, to the best of human ability.

  3. How will chakwera place the country under lockdown when the injunction is still in place? Ankachita ngati covid-19 inali ya DPP, ur stupid lieutenants in the the name of chilima, Joyce banda and timoti ntumbo misled people by speaking openly that corona is fake, so, has the death of the ministers made l? Our leader is clueless and a big fool, amangovomera zirizonse pofuna mavoti, lero ndi izo, munya nazo

  4. Excuse Moi,,Who’s frightened? Certainly not the citizens at large where trading centers are always busy with salaula and normal activities….

  5. Chakwela may have peace now after the death of Sidic Mia. Chakwela could have taken years to pay back what Mia spent on Chakwela himself and MCP. Let us have true love. We should not love someone because of His/her money.

  6. From the comments below, the attack on the president’s speech is because he has not summoned a lockdown.

    What is it that you people did not learn from last year when the DPP tried to lockdown the country. Even in DPP stronghold (Thyolo, Mulanje, Phalombe) people vehemently rejected it. Tsopano you want the president to go same route. Inu zakudya mulinazo but think of most Malawians who live from hand to mouth. They wait kuti agulitse masamba, tomato ndizinzake kuti apeze chakudya cha tsiku limenero, how will they survive. Anthu mudzikhala ndi chikondi. If you feel threatened, inuyo dzipangeni lockdown palibe akukukanizani osati kuti muwapangire anzanu zochita. Amati wamva m’mimba ndiye atsegula chitseko. So stop forcing the president to do what is not morally right because of a “disease” that is killing very few of the many who die everyday in the country.

  7. Dr. Chakwera and Chilima, Do you think there is anything new you can tell Malawians to convince them about the dangers of COVID 19? During Peter Mutharika’s leadership, i remember he declared Malawi a State of emergency and instructed Malawians to be on Lockdown but Chakwera and Chilima plus Joice Banda you were in the fore front educating Malawians that COVID 19 does not exist, it is fake and you went ahead encouraging Malawians to hug one another because they can never contract it. HRDC assisted your move by obtaining a court injunction to stop the Lockdown. Today, you are the same people that are dieying and you have now the wisdom and intelligence to advise Malawians that COVID is real when Malawians already believed you that COVID never existed. Please shut up your mouths!!! You are just idiots who wanted nothing but presidential position and we cannot listen to you this day. To hell with you and HRDC!! sons and daughters of Zion!!!

    1. Malawians themselves rejected the lockdown because they knew they were more likely to die from hunger than covid. IT IS NOT BECAUSE SOMEONE SAID THERE IS NO COVID. Inu simunamve kuti a ma demo ankati chani, simunawerenge their fliers kuti “kuli bwino tife ndi kolona kusiyana ndi njala”.

      Lockdown is not a solution for Malawi and it will never be and i doubt the majority (who are those who live from hand to mouth) can let that happen.

  9. I commend the president for first considering the views of malawians before making any declaration. Thank you president for being a true Democrats.

  11. We are in deep trouble bwana!

    I voted for this Tonse alliance koma abwana, hmm. It sure feels like DPP is still ruling. Everything is done in reactive mode. Wider consultation.

    Kumva speech yake, za ziiii!

    It really left me feel like the President only came out to speak coz of the shock from the ministers’ death.

    It really made me feel like if the ministers’ were still alive (which I wish they were) the president wouldn’t have addressed the nation on the Covid situation today.

    It shouldn’t take the death of a minister for the government to start wider consultations and parliament to make life saving decisions. Mumadikila chani? Was the death of ordinary Malawians not enough to mobilise you into urgent wider consultations that you are talking about? Did it really had to wait for the death of a minister?

    A Malawi, dziko lathuli limangoziyendela lokha. Palibe amayendetsa dziko lathuli. Tears.

    Inu, A Chakwera, COVID-19 inabwa liti kuno ku Malawi kuti only now you should be starting wider consultation and seeking parliamentary approval. Honestly, couldn’t you have done this much earlier and agree what various measures you would take as a government if things were to reach certain key indicators. Mfuti zimenezi, simukanatha kupukutilatu?

    The dilemma you are facing is that when the previous government wanted to implement some restrictive measures, you were in the fore front holding placards saying no to the measures unless the then government provides food to Malawians. You did all that for political gains and you were supported by most of us coz we saw an opportunity to get rid of a government that was underperforming, whilst you saw an opportunity for what we now know, for your tribal friends and apongozi. Now the shoe is on your foot, muwapatsa zakudya aMalawi?

    A Chakwera, can’t we put some measures with immediate effect whilst the consultation process is going on? There are few things we can certainly DOB immediately to save lives.

    aMalawi azanga, if we are waiting for this government to help, it will take a while and by then most of us titha!

    1. Chonde tatiyeni tisiye kaye kupita kuzikwati.

    2. A ma minibus, chonde tithandizeni pokhala ndi restricted number ya anthu per minbus.

    3. Employers, if your staff can work from home, please make them do that or even rotate masiku a mu office.

    4. Ayiniyake a ma shop, please khalani pangani control number ya anthu amene akhoza kulowa mu shop mwanu PQ nthawi imodzi.

    Izizitu tikhoza kupanga tokha aMalawi without waiting for this Tonse alliance government to consult, think, meet, dream and goodness who knows what else they are waiting for.

    Mwaona nokha kuti there is nothing sensible that the president has said in his speech. Komanso lots of Malawians have died of covid without him addressing the nation. It shouldn’t take the death of a minister for the government to start caring and loving Malawians. It shouldn’t take the death of a minister for consultations to start and for parliament to make life saving decisions.

    African Child, ukuona?

  12. No need for closure of schools. A lot has already been lost. Just because some students have tested positive in Blantyre then the whole nation should suffer, no!

    2. What a crazy thoughts are these .Simudziwa kuti muto umapita kwatsala tchire . Aliye apange zomuthandiza paja ikalira mphenzi aliyense amagwira wake mutu .Malawi udzuke ,zoona ndizakuti my umodzi muli mphanvu.
      Inde ndibanja langa tasiya zogwiritsa ntchito cash , transaction iliyonse is mobile osafuna asiye.

  14. Lockdown ku Malawi,ndiyosagwira.80%+anthu amadalira matanyu,hand to mouth, everyday.Ndiye mukati lockdown,muwapatsa sima/chakudya?
    Nthawi ya DPP,you Chakwera,Chilima,Mtambo,Trapenz(Opposition &HRDC) Vehemently refused the lockdown.
    Now,the passing on of two Cabinet Ministers(May their sours rest in piece)must not give warrant to lockdown the poor pieceful country-Malawi.
    Your Excellency Sir,let’s just accept,zachitika Basi,it’s Kadarih,we can’t fight with Kadarih…(God planned death of each one of us,where,how&when to die)tizomerezge waka..
    Corona is air borne&its in co2 we breath in,am very surprised,mask for whaaaaat?you mask your nose, mouth,eyes open ..you breath mask covered,still Corona finds you.
    Mwa madokotala namwe mukutangwanishana waka,mukutchinga phuno,mulomo,kwene Corona akusolota…
    Mwe imwe,let’s just accept, believe you me,we won’t achieve by masking…
    Your Excellency,just informed the nation to be careful in their movements full Stop…..va mask, lockdown,vyawaka napulika,phindu palije.
    Yewo
    Mzakwacha Nixon
    Durban
    Kwazulu Natal
    +27724922299
    [email protected]

  16. Truth be told, Malawi needs to vaccinate its people. All these talk talk meetings will only serve to delay the actual solution, which is vaccination. Please bwana, stop all of these publicity stunts and just focus on purchasing vaccines.

  18. I am disppointed that the President did not mention about closing schools when some learners have tested positive in Blantyre. This is carelessness. The new variant is not sparing young people. Benedicto Kondowe should take it up and force government to close schools. We are at risk.

    1. Get a grip yes cases are rising But NOT in schools 1 infection at a school is not a pandemic. Yes that school should close temporarily to isolate an outbreak. A National Closure of schools will only harm students. Educate yourself how other Countries are dealing with this issue while cases in Malawi are extremely low 300 daily cases in a population of 19 1/2 million. (in comparison South Africa is reporting 6,000, UK 20,000, Canada 4,000, . MALAWI is ranked 180 out of 200 countries for Covid positive cases. NOT a National Emergency Yet. Was no secret Malawi cases would increase during the rain season. Shut downs and lock downs should follow the movement of infections. Many areas and schools have never had a single case of Covid.

    2. That’s being very democratic. He wants to use a collective, and inclusive decision so that tommorow we should not hear that someone has gone to court to seek an injunction.

  19. Not even a year in the office but it’s becoming obvious that the pastor who found himself in the wrong place,he’s clueless on how to implement a simple plan for this pandemic. Sure the guy belong to church Not in the state house.

    2. Bwana, nanenso ndaona.

      Chonde aMalawi anzanga, before you send your children to school, think twice.

      I think we should all stop sending our kids to school for the sake of life. We really shouldn’t wait for this government to make decisions. Titha!

      Let’s do it and they will catch up with up.

    3. Malawi is not Chakweras farm as how other presidents used to take. He wants you and me also to put forward our suggestions. That’s democracy. That’s Tonse government. It’s not weakness.

      1. He has out mandate to make decisions on our behalf.He has to be a leader.He has advisors and ministers to sought information from.What do they discuss in these cabinet meetings

  20. There was nothing sensible said in the address. Someone should tell the president to separate facts from excellent English

  21. Mr President,

    Never call for a press conference only to announce lowering of flags in honor of the deceased cabinet ministers and to tell us that you have asked a committee to meet. We have high expectations and some of us have kids at schools and some are dealing with covid in our homes and workplaces let alone churches and mosques.

    We had such high expectations, some even cancelled trips to various shops and markets to buy ginger and garlic. Only for you to bark about nothing???

    Where were the lowered flags for the hundreds that have already died? You are moved now because its in your cabinet?

    Keep those flags lowered, in fact just remove all flags because the death toll has just began. Just start digging the mass graves.

    For Gods sake do something man, enforce a mask mandate. Fine those who refuse to put on masks. Reduce numbers that can enter a market or shop, reduce minibus capacity..etc…. So much that you can do!!

    Stop fiddling, Rome is burning!!!

    Good luck with the fasting Sir!

  22. Zeze can’t solve the problem, mwatani o siku. Zeze is just a marketer who knows how to talk. I wonder what lies he gave o siku to convince him that he can handle this review. All the reform meetings he held at nocma, escom, egenco, mera etc have achieved nothing. And you add this? Why not try Give Prof John chisi

  23. Very true despite our political affiliation this one must be a team work in all corners of our beloved country for quick recovery and healing. God is able! Indeed we have lost great sons and daughters for our mother Malawi.Iam from previous government but i agreed to what Mr President has said lets join hands for better Malawi.

  25. Abwana pepani chifukwa cha ifa ya nduna ziwiri. Koma panopa ku Malawi kulibe disaster. Find another word. Disaster is associated with ‘sudden’ what is sudden with Covid-19? the phenomenon has been with us since March 2020. What is emergency in the current situation? What is that we have done wrong that we will want donor support? One would expect atleast a word about how do we get vaccinated. This is sleeping on duty. Anthu anu atumizeni ku Sukulu because this is embarrassing. We are fighting to stop this begging culture, unfortunately you are bringing it again. Please this is not church where we beg members on every project at the church. This is a National busines and the distaster management department has a budget. Please please abwana.

  26. Bwana musataye nthawi ndi a Malawi order as soon as possible covid19 vaccination for yourself, Veep, cabinet ministers, judges and other VIPs and show it live on TV when you will be taking the jab just like other leaders are doing elsewhere.
    Ife our concern is you, you must rule your 5 years ena asalowere pawindow. Ena panopa mtima uli dyokodyoko kufuna mutaitenga kuti mufe ndie please get vaccinated as soon as possible.
    AMalawi olo mutachita kuvula kuwauza zoti tieni tisiye kupita ndi kudya kumaliro sangalore, olo kuti tizipita mmashift kunsika, tikwere ochepa modula minibus koma mopewa covid19, tizipemphera kunyumba, olo kuti kukachaso musamamwere toti imodzi, fodya musamasutitsane, etc zonse akukanirani akuti ukatero ndikunyada

  27. Ensure each distrist hospial and rural hospital has capacity to treat between 10 to 100 patients need oxygen at a time.

    mobilize health workers, doctors and nurses and clinical officers , or to be oriented on standard COVID-19 treatment and support

    Procure PPE for health workers

    Make sure they have thier monies and logistics, transport etc

    Get the essential drugs, dexamethazone etc

    Then pray and hope for the best

    Wanva iwe Lazalo ndi Chilima anthu oyika political interest over people lives, now test the work of your hands

    1. This will never happen. We lost a head of state amidst perennialy poor health services but did not reform at all!

    3. The last sentence has destroyed your great wisdom which you were sharing to malawians. Otherwise that is the solution to Malawi as of now.

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