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

‘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.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
48 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Lol
Lol
3 years ago

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

Concerned citizen
3 years ago

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.

Castello
Castello
3 years ago

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

Rocky Dada
Rocky Dada
3 years ago

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

CULTURE
CULTURE
3 years ago

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.

Zina ukamva
Zina ukamva
3 years ago

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… Read more »

Zilimika Ntchunga
3 years ago

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… Read more »

Zina ukamva
Zina ukamva
3 years ago

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.

sikelo
sikelo
3 years ago

Mbuzi inu eti. Zimene mukunenazo sizinakhale choncho ayi, mwaonjeza kwambiri. Bodza lokha lokha!

Phuma kachilima.
3 years ago

Abusa game yawakulira ayamba kusosoka nthenga.

Tizgowerengewaka Mughogho
Tizgowerengewaka Mughogho
3 years ago

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

Nyoni
Nyoni
3 years ago

Kodi Mesa mumati atumbuka ndi a nzeru? Nanga iwe umbuliwu bwanji?

Last edited 3 years ago by Nyoni
Dauseee
Dauseee
3 years ago

We are not frightened you dumb-fuck journalist! We are disgusted with Chakwera’s inept leadership

Read previous post:
Chilima has not tested Covid positive,  callous propaganda dismissed

Vice President Saulos Chilima has  not tested positive for coronavirus  as rumours on social media seem to suggest as government...

Close