Diaspora’s Chiza Mkandawire issues stern warning to Bingu
By Thom Chiumia, Nyasa Times
Malawi Diaspora Forum official, Ben Chiza Mkandawire, has warned President Bingu wa Mutharika to address issues raised in the petition of the civil society presented on July 20 or risk being pushed out of power.
Speaking on popular Straight Talk programme on Capital Radio on Tuesday, England-based Mkandawire who is reported to be heading to Malawi this week, said Mutharika should act on the demands in the petition or face insurrection.
He also said Diaspora Forum’s appeal for Mutharika to “peacefully resign” 91 days from July 20 still stands.
“The man has completely changed. He has lost it. He lost direction. He is lost the respect that he once had. The people of Malawi have lost faith in him. He has changed. We do not want a leader who has lost respect and faith of the people,” said Mkandawire, former supporter of Mutharika-turned bitter critic.
“Bingu has become an infidel to the constitution of Malawi,” according to Mkandawire.
Chiza Mkandawire a self-styled social and political activist said the Diaspora Forum is a grouping of citizens living abroad with “collective effort for Malawians to fight for human rights”.
He also trashed statement by deputy minister of information Tarcizio Thomie Gowelo who claimed the Forum members were homeless and vendors.
“I think minister Gowelo must check himself,” said Mkandawire, pointing out the membership of Diaspora Forum blends intelligent and patriotic Malawian citizens.
“DPP regime has failed to govern people and promote democracy. What minister Gowelo said it depicts people that are not able to reason with anybody but themselves,” he said.
Chiza Mkandawire attacked Mutharika and warned that he risks facing consequences if he does not act on the demands.
“We want Bingu to meet our demands. If he does not change this situation, then Malawians will rise against him and he will face a plague, I can say a biblical plague,” he said.
Mkandawire described Mutharika as “unpatriotic.”
“I don’t see a leader who fights his own people. That is the reason we gave him 91 days to come up with a constructive future for Malawi.”
Mkandawire also explained that Forum representatives have been having fruitful discussions with British government officials to lobby for targeted sanctions for Mutharika and his cronies
“We also pushed for Bingu’s assets to be frozen,” he disclosed and condemned Mutharika for his “I will some you out” speech against civil society leaders who organised anti-government demonstrations.
The complaints against government include the worst electricity and fuel shortages in Malawi’s 47-years of independence; the president’s “secret authorisation” to spend $13m on a private jet; incidents of abuse of power; and intolerance and violence.
The Mutharika government has also been accused of passing regressive laws to restrict the media and opponents
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