Chakwera govt ‘scatters’ militant HRDC leaders to embassies

Government is planning on sending some of the most vocal leaders of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) as envoys to various diplomatic missions, a development some analysts have described as President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse-Alliance-led government’s way of stifling dissent.

HRDC has been instrumental in fighting corruption and various socio-political injustices in the country. It played a crucial role in demonstrations, led by then chairperson Timothy Mtambo whose results was the nullification of the May 21 tripartite election presidential poll and a subsequent June 23 2020 fresh presidential election in which Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party (MCP), vice president Saulos Chilima’s UTM and nine other parties partnered to oust Peter Mutharika and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) from power.

HRDC leadership being rewarded for their fight against Mutharika and DPP

Mtambo was roped in as cabinet minister in the Chakwera government, and is still Minister of Civic Education and National Unity.

Nyasa Times has reportedly learnt that government has made appointments of Luke Tembo, Billy Mayaya, Happy Mhango and Macdonald Sembereka—who accepted verbal offers but are yet to be confirmed by Parliament—to various foreign missions.

We also understand that HRDC chairperson, Gift Trapence, was also offered a posting but rejected it.

According to our impeccable sources Tembo, who is HRDC national coordinator has been assigned to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia while Mhango, regional chairperson for the northern region is set to go to Germany.

Sembereka, we are told, goes to Washington DC in the USA while Mayaya has been assigned to Brussels in Belgium.

Mayaya to Brussels but no official communication yet.

In telephone interviews with Nyasa Times on Wednesday, Mhango and Mayaya said they had heard the rumours.

“I don’t know. I am just hearing the rumours,” said Mhango. On the other hand, Mayaya said: “I have no concrete information about it. There has been no official communication to me. But I have heard the rumours.”

Wonderful Mkhutche, a Lilongwe-based socio-political analyst, said it was normal that such a development would arise sooner than later.

“There are indeed rumours that some HRDC members have been appointed to go to foreign embassies. HRDC being one of the organizations that made political turnovers after the May 2019 elections, which gave way to the present Tonse Alliance-led government, it is normal for people to see it as a reward for their actions.

“But we must understand that the HRDC leaders are like all other citizens who are qualified for the job. We must, therefore, dwell much on how they will execute their new rumoured roles, based on their experience and knowledge.

“However, we must also not keep a blind eye to the fact that this is a political reward. This is unlike what was promised during the campaign. But above this, our attention must be on the capabilities of those appointed,” said Mkhutche.

 

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
14 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Kuduhunter
Kuduhunter
2 years ago

Why have some of these embassies when they can not even have basic services for its citizens like to renew passports , just wasting tax payers money

Dausee
Dausee
2 years ago

2025 is coming Chakwera tikukuwonatu!

TATE WA MAFUMU
2 years ago

LET THEM BE, LET THEM SERVE US. ALL IS NATIONAL SERVICE. ASILIKALI AKAWAPITISA KU DRC SIMUDANDAULA WHY?

Mapwisi
2 years ago

So you are sure kuti ulendowu ndiwaku kenani? Chakwera’s one year presidency is the most horrible of all so far.

Tamala
Tamala
2 years ago

Incorporate seasonal diplomats within the Foreign Affairs Ministry.You can’t have these thugs running embassies

Jonas
Jonas
2 years ago
Reply to  Tamala

Mwagenda..kikikikikikiki

Keen Observer
Keen Observer
2 years ago

As much as it can be painful to others but we have to understand that as much as they claimed to say that they were fighting for the people, the first set of people is themselves. When a Cap fits let whoever it has fitted wear it. The only thing here is to check that are they well qualified? Have they got the education to enable them go there? Other than that they’re just daughters & sons of the soil so let them have a piece of the cake. Sometimes it helps a lot just to be happy for others.… Read more »

God is Love
God is Love
2 years ago
Reply to  Keen Observer

Kumeneku nde kuyankhula baba! We are all Malawians

Justice for all
Justice for all
2 years ago

That’s Malawi will never change only individual leaders change anyway whatever comes we don’t have a say only watching from the stand

Mzozodo
Mzozodo
2 years ago

Inu ma Cadet, mumati asapangidwe reward? Mwawatematema ndi zikwanje, now it’s their time to enjoy the fruits after taking risks. Munkaopsa tu anthu inu…..

Mchengawoyera
Mchengawoyera
2 years ago
  1. wokumba mwala sapanga phuma ine pheee kudikira wanga
  2. kadawuluka kadzatera akupita lerowa adzandipeza
  3. 
Mwinithako
Mwinithako
2 years ago

Ise tamanyanga kare ivyi.Apeasement appointments.

Tivyiwonenge kwali????

Read previous post:
Malawi covid-19 cases quadruple in 48 hours

Health experts have warned that should the citizenry not adhere to Covid-19 preventive measures, Malawi will "perish" after the deadly...

Close