‘Concerned Citizens’ attack CSOs as opposition stoogies: Trapence says Kamangila is state sponsored mercenary
A group of ‘concerned citizens’ led by Philip Kamangila and his two lieutenants have condemned the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) for organising what they say were “senseless” anti-governmet protests last Friday and accused the coalition of pocketing money from Malawi’s opposition political parties to finance the demonstrations.
Kamangila, Willard Mhone and Kennedy Mwene Munyapala issued a statement describing the HRDC as a bunch of politicians masquerading as activists.
A grouping calling itself Concerned Citizens on Peace Building and Human Justice has accused Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the banner of Human Rights Defenders of being agents of opposition political parties on the basis of human rights and good governance when in actual fact they are mercenaries.
The remarks were said in reference to the September 21st demonstrations.
Chairperson of the Concerned Citizens, Phillip Kamangira, said the group is shocked with the level of conduct of the CSOs saying they (CSOs) have turned themselves into politicians.
He said this has been seen in the materials that were produced during the demonstrations which depicted a particular political party.
“We have seen that the civil society’s motive is not all that related to civil society work, but rather that of politicians. The messages displayed during the demonstrations reflect that they are opposition political party mercenaries,” said Kamangira.
He appealed to the CSOs saying if they want to do politics they should resign and register a political grouping or better still join an existing one rather than hiding behind human rights issues.
Kamangira said the just ended demonstration was not by the CSOs per se but sponsored by opposition political parties to which he said they have evidence.
But HRDC spokesperson Gift Trapence trashed the accusations, insisting that the coalition is an independent body truly working in the interest of Malawians.
Trapence wondered on what basis Kamangila was making all these allegations.
“He is a state sponsored mercenary and bootlicker just trying to impress his paymaster,” Trapence scolded Kamangila.
“Is it not true that there is theft of public money and resources by the ruling elite in this country? Is there not rampant corruption in the civil service and public parastatals? Are we not experiencing persistent power blackouts? How then could one argue that we are funded by the opposition as we question all these apparent mischiefs on behalf of the people?” Trapence queried.
Kamangila, Mhone and Munyapala claimed they have overwhelming evidence to substantiate their allegations against HRDC.
He insisted: “We are aware of meetings that took place ahead of the demonstrations involving MCP and UTM leaders and HRDC where the political leaders made commitments to fund the protests. Trapence and Mtambo can not deny this”.
“HRDC can take us even to court if they disapprove of what we are saying. We have enough evidence which we will use against them and show Malawians the hypocrisy hidden in the so called human rights defenders,” added Kamangila.
In fact, MCP President Lazarus Chakwera turned up for the protests in Lilongwe and allegedly addressed the marchers.
Meanwhile, UTM Spokesperson Joseph Chidanti Malunga has exonerated his party from Kamangila’s rantings, saying the concerned citizen is himself being funded by the rulling Democratic Progressive Party to attack UTM.
“His claims are unfounded and not true at all. The fact that we share the suffering with Malawians should not be construed that we funded the demonstrations. It is not fair,” complained Malunga.
Efforts to speak to MCP proved futile.
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Bravo Kamangila Phillip. We are there for you. As Malawians, we r not spupid to see these idiots holding this country on ramsom. Let them join politics if they want.
Kamangila, you are a hero and brave. Plse lead us to counter tjeir demos next time to see which Malawians they are representing. Shameless CSOs
Trapence and Mtamnbo are opposition parties mercenaries.
But who is this Kamangira ,the one who doesnt know how rotten is our peace loving Malawi now? can someone of high intergrity school this man plz
What good job have CSOs political party of Mtambo, Trapence and friends done?. These are agents of oppositiin parties. How can u demean yiur president of the Republic like that?. which Malawians are yu representing?. For sure one day you will walk alone. President is the citizen number one in any country. He cant be summoned by an osakhwima pamchombo ndi amwano. Mkomwe mkomwe where are Govt advisors, Govt Attorneys and Security that Malawians can look at their prwsident being humiliated by disguntled opposition CSOs. The govt shd know kuti muvi oyang’anira suchedwa kulowa mmaso. Chakwela is alao creating a… Read more »
Be thankful CSO have done a great job the the leader of opposition! The government needs pressure not a bunch of people complaining on facebook while these pumbwa stealing from the government coffers! Why do some people act like the electricity problem has not affected them directly or indirectly! Its sickening while others are stealing from these state capture SC there people literally out of business cause of them. Development is backwards. its 2018 most african countries even war tone one have so much to show for than malawi celebrating a chinese built studium every day on TV! Have u… Read more »
Philip, you must remember that DPP won with 37% of the votes. In other words, the opposition parties represents the majority 67% of Malawi voters. Though I don’t ager with the CSOs approach to dealing with society grievances, I believe they have a role to play in Malawi politics. Staging demonstration is a right espoused in the constitution as a tool to send a message to those entrusted with power especially elected political leaders especially when other avenues have failed. We have DPP-led govt that doesn’t listen to the will of the people. Unfortunately, their elected leaders in parliament have… Read more »
Chikaulukauluka chimadzatera, watch out so called CSOs tonse si opusa ayi. I have always questioned your credibility, i’m glad i was not the only one. Kamanjira present the evidence it’s about time we get rid this Mtambo, trepence and kajoloweka party. Koma monga simukudabwa kuti anthu ochita zionetsero zanu akucheperacheperabe? Anthu atsegula maso man. And as for Chakwera,panyapako ndithu m’busa ochititsa manyazi iwe.
That’s what comes from D.P.P cadet kukwiya kumeneko? ayayayaya koma umbuli waoneka apa sindinauonepo.
So as Peter Muthalika President wochititsa mayazi.
kusowa zokamba mwina , mpaka kutukwana zomwezi ngati munhuyo amadya kwanu boss, mwatani kodi ? muli ndi vuto eti? mfune msafune come 2019 DPP ichoka basi
Poti iweyo unabadwa opanda panyo, zikomo ndikupanda panyapakopo…
kamangira ..mutu wako usatibere ufulu umene ifeyo tinauvutikira kuti ubedwe masanasana tikuona……ndi mumene ukuonekera ukuonesaso kuti ngakhale nthawi imene timavotere nyali kusiya tambala wakuda iweyo unali mwana…zoti ankolo ako akutibera k145,000,000.00 tikuona ukuona ngati zikutikondweretsa,????
mzuzu yose mumasesa mumisewu nde pano nkumati muli ndi ma evidence nde mukumuhuza ndani osangopita Ku court bwanji , ma demo siolesedwa Bambo , Malawi yayaka moto muziwaso ,