Chakwera endorses anti-govt protest on April 27: Malawi CSOs deliver notification to authorities
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president and leader of opposition in Parliament Lazarus Chakwera has endorsed plans by the civil society organisations (CSOs) to hold nationwide protests on April 27 to petition President Peter Mutharika and his administration on governance shortcomings.
Chakwera endorsed the demos as representatives of the CSOs on Tuesday delivered their notification letter to authorities, notably Lilongwe City Council, Lilongwe District Council and Lilongwe Police Station.
The MCP president has not indicated whether the party will take part in an anti-government protest but said he was in support of the demos.
Chakwera said he was a first person to protest about the disbursement of the K4 billion to legislators in his speech when Parliament was rising.
The MCP president and opposition leader said he fully endorse the decision by CSOs to mobilise Malawians for a public protest on the April 27 “if the intent is what I already explained in Parliament.”
Initially, the MCP leader was part of the agreement by members of Parliament (MPs) to allocate the said amount to all the 193 MPs instead of the initial 80, before making a U-turn later.
The CSOs want Cabinet ministers Goodall Gondwe (Finance, Economic Planning and Development) and Kondwani Nankhumwa (Local Government and Rural Development); to voluntarily step down or the President should fire them for their roles in the K4 billion financial transaction and an annulment of the entire arrangement. The two ministers have insisted they did nothing wrong.
The influential quasi-religious grouping Public Affairs Committee (PAC) also endorsed the demonstrations.
PAC spokesperson Father Peter Mulomole said: “We are supporting the April 27 demos because they are being organised by fellow civil society organisations.”
Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) said it had opened investigations of the K4 billion issue, prompting the CSOs to call for the two ministers to step aside for proper investigations the way it happened with former minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda in the Maizegate issue.
The demonstrations will be held in Karonga, Mzuzu, Lilongwe, Blantyre and Zomba.
Leading newspaper, The Nation, said in its daily edition of Wednesday that the CSOs should be focused on the demo by setting the agenda.
In its editorial comment, the paper pointed out that holding of peaceful protests or demonstrations in the country is not a crime but a constitutional right of the citizens in accordance with Section 40 [2] [d] of the Constitution.
But the paper urged the CSOs to sensitixe would-be participants they are mobilising fro the demonstratiojs to know their rights and indeed where they end.
“They should also organise good secueiry to check against undesirable elements who take advantage pf such events to loot shops or damage unsuspecting innocent people’s property,” it said.
It said the protests are not necessarily about numbers, but sending across the message, the size of the turnout nails the point home.
Among the CSOs that endorsed the demos are Human Rights Defenders Forum (HRDF), Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Cedep, Youth and Society (YAS), Public Affairs Committee (PAC), Citizens Forum for the Defense of Good Governance and Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR).
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Chakwera endorsing what? Truly this man is a son of Lucifer, the fallen angel. This is part of Chakwera’s revolt agenda. If the CSOs in question were not pro opposition, they would have organized demos for the removal of Chakwera because he is the first class betrayer.
Dr Chakwera remember traits you were called to initiate PEACE and to serve the LOST SOULS what are doing now ???? God will punish you for the bad things you are bringing to this Nation – we don’t want bloodshed any more. Problems can only be solved through contact and dialogue also through fasting & prayer. Please remember your calling.
Yes! Yes! another cardiac on the way.
Go konko! Malawi Wonastow!
Demonstrations and/or protests, even with highest turnout, have not worked with DPP. It seems political leaders and the legislature have gotten so immune to demos and protests to the extent that don’t see or hear those in the streets. In fact they will be laughing from their posh offices. Demonstrations only work in countries where political leaders have conscious or in cases where they take their mandates seriously. Evidence has demonstrated that Malawian politicians are a different breed. My advice to CSO therefore is to change strategy and tact. Hit DPP where it hurts the most (in the groin). That’s… Read more »
Well said ndalitso!! This guy is fake. You don’t feel shy when talking? It makes me sick!!!!!!!!!
Chakwera we will have demos soon on your fake accent!!! How can you talk like a American yet you come from a village? Za utsiru!!! Get a life man
tiyeni nazoni mbamvazo za DPP
Mbuzi
I thought the demos are mostly about K4 billion to which Chakwera is party to. Unless these demos are politically motivated as we approach the Tripartite Elections in 2019 the petitions are supposed to include Chakwera as leader of opposition who rallied his party MPs to support the bill. It is laughable for Chakwera to say he was the first to speak about the K4billion fallout and yet went ahead and endorsed it together with his MPs. It will be total hypocrisy for the organizers to allow Chakwera to participate in these demos when the demos are being organized against… Read more »
kkkkkkkkkkkk !!!! Mbuziyi yasanduka Activist ? Aiwale ma ambition a upresidenti wa Malawi.