CSOs describe the Kalindo’s meeting with Cabinet ministers as insult to Malawians

Despite the Malawi Government granting some of the demands a political rights activist Bon Kalindo made during his meeting with Cabinet ministers on Tuesday, some civil society organizations (CSOs) have described the meeting as a big insult to Malawians.

The disgruntled CSOs comprise the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), Social Revolution Movement (SRM), Human Rights Ambassadors (HRA), Forum for Democracy and Rights Defenders (FDRD) and the Mzuzu Youth Caucus.

Phunziro Mvula stressing a point during a hybrid press briefing—Photo by Watipaso Mzungu, Nyasa Times

Leaders of the five organizations held a joint virtual press briefing on Wednesday where they distanced themselves from “the purported meeting by one Mr. Bon Kalindo, and the Cabinet Ministers, which is reported to have taken place on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 in Lilongwe.”

Led by CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa, the CSO leaders argued that the said meeting was between the government and Mr. Kalindo, and not organizations that have been conducting demonstrations in the country.

“Simply put, what happened yesterday is total betrayal to Malawians, and an insult to their intelligence, if the outcome of the meeting is anything to go by,” said Namiwa.

Ironically, Namiwa and his FDRD counterpart Oliver Nakoma are some of the CSO leaders that physically attended and gave Kalindo moral support during his debut demonstration in Blantyre before following him to his second set of the mass protests in Lilongwe last Friday.

The disgruntled CSO leaders have since issued a statement in which they are assuring that they we will not relent on their pursuit for justice, and ensuring that President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and his Tonse Alliance government should announce an economic recovery plan with a timeframe.

Phunziro Mvula addressing journalists as Namiwa (in black golf shirt) looks on–Photo by Watipaso Mzungu, Nyasa Times

The statement has been signed by Namiwa himself, SRM Executive Director Phunziro Mvula, FDRD head Oliver Nakoma, Steve Chimwaza of HRA and Gomezgani Nkhoma of Mzuzu Youth Caucus.

They are demanding that Chakwera should provide clearly spelt out measures for cushioning the marginalized and the underprivileged, and give a clear road map to fulfil all his campaign promises made prior to the court-sanctioned June 23, 2020, Fresh Presidential Elections.

Namiwa and his colleagues have warned that failure by the Tonse Alliance government to meet their demands within seven days will be a catalyst for endless nationwide demonstrations.

“Apart from fixing the economy, Malawians would like government to immediately maintain the prices of fertilizer at MK4, 500 as promised, scrap off the punitive taxes on essential services and goods, act on theft of public funds by top government officials and create the much touted one million jobs for the youth.

“We are also demanding that the government should implement the MK15, 000 monthly allowance to those aged 65 and above, lower the tollgate fees to MK500 for small vehicles, and no more than MK5,000 for the heavy goods vehicles, revise the recent water and electricity tariffs, remove the generators at ESCOM,” reads the statement.

The concerned CSOs further want Chakwera to implement the cheaper passports and the drivers’ licenses that do not expire, trim the cabinet and fire all the advisors, review draconian laws (Labour Relations Act) and report on MK17.5 billion Covid funds.

“Meanwhile, we are giving government 7 (seven) days to announce the economic recovery plan as indicated above, in order to contain the escalating cost of living. Failure to do so, will call for a total shutdown demonstrations in all the 28 districts of the country,” warn the CSOs.

But Kalindo maintained that he is not speaking for CSOs, but Malawians who are feeling the pinch of the high cost of living.

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Katoto boy
2 years ago

How Malawians can easily be ing fooled by Kalindo to think that he is fighting for them. They don’t know that Kalindo is being supported by Cilima

Medsonchimudima3@gmail.com
2 years ago

Amabunge msiyeni kalindo
Ndinu ma treator, sitifuna ngati za Timothy Mtambo.
Bravo Kalindo u are speaking on behalf of Malawians not mabungwe.

kamanga
2 years ago

Ayi a mabungwe mumatipusitsa musiyeni kalindo amalize zimene waziyambazi musasokoneze inu ma CSO

Stout
Stout
2 years ago

Why do they think they have a mandate to speak on my behalf. Who elected them and what expertise do they have that I should listen to what they say. If it was so easy to do, in 7 days, I would drive a Benz and eat at 5 star restaurants.

Kamchiputu
2 years ago

Government is applying divide and rule tactics.

Vimto
Vimto
2 years ago

You have NO right to Speak for ALL Malawians, some of us go to work to earn a little something and we are surviving the Global economic situation. YOU have no JOB to go to and you are busy organizing Demonstrations to steal from hard-working people with small Shops. SHUTDOWN the country?? Really!! YOU WILL BE SHUTDOWN Malawians cannot allow that…

James Kalimbuka
James Kalimbuka
2 years ago

I think the CSO leaders involved are misguided in the UN definition of a Human Rights Defender. Kalindo is correct. At least we’ve seen some results in the shortest period possible .

If anything is to go by, let these guys showcase their achievements in this struggle as CSOs. Remember, defending and protecting human rights is a duty for all and not only CSOs.

Mulumuzana
Mulumuzana
2 years ago

Much as I would like to see things working to the advantage of the poor Malawians but at the same time I find the demands made by Namiwa not feasible to the economic situation Malawi. Should Namiwa tell us where our poor government will get the money to cushion us. Do the government have enough monetary muscle to do it? I think it’s high time we made demands that are feasible and that will take us up somewhere. That’s what Malawians have been waiting for and are waiting for, not just to fight for the sake of proving someone a… Read more »

The Observer
2 years ago

These are simply confusionists who do not what they are doing. They are being used by dpp to confuse Malawians. CSOs should advise the government on reducing expenditure to improve social services like education and health. To concentrate on toll gate fees is ridiculous. Vehicles are not owned by poor people who are in majority. Malawi needs to improve the road infrastructure that is in bad shape. We are complaining about accidents due to bad roads that have no signs, have potholes etc. CSOs are just punching holes at anything. Biting anything that they come across like a galu a… Read more »

Benzo
Benzo
2 years ago
Reply to  The Observer

Dzana dzanali mafuta akela kwambiri kuno ku south africa. Mwezi umod,I kukwela kaveri tikayanganitsitsa awa akuti it’s a global problem ndikugwilizana nawo. Koma zotseka nzipatazo nde ayi

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