Govt faults persons with albinism for clash with police: ‘No room for lawlessness in Malawi’
Malawi government has faulted the Association of People with Albinism (APAM) over Saturday’s clash between police and members of the association who were demonstrating in the capital Lilongwe and blocked the M1 road close to the Malawi Institute of Management (MIM ).
Reacting to the development, government said through its spokesman Henry Mussa that it will not condone lawlessness in whichever form it comes, even if it is hidden in the name of exercising rights.
Mussa, who is also Minister of Information, said in a statement made available to Nyasa Times that the events of Saturday in Lilongwe is “lawlessness that should be rejected by all well-meaning and level headed people” .
The Minister said the alleged blocking of the road, hurling insults and stoning road users can never be justified when Government has offered all avenues for dialogue and also provided support for members of the Association of People with Albinism in Malawi since they opted to conduct demonstrations and vigils.
“Let the public including people living with albinism be informed that Government will not associate with exercising of rights in a manner that violates the rights of other people, inconveniences them, undermines their dignity and endangers their security and property.
“Government has a duty to ensure that Malawi is peaceful, all people enjoy their rights, feel secure and respected and their property safeguarded. As such, anybody who conducts themselves in a manner that shows they assume to be above the law will not be tolerated,”the statement adds.
According to Mussa, the misconduct that manifested its ugly head on Saturday is sponsored by enemies of law and order to provoke situations that would be blamed on Government in general and the Malawi Police Service in particular.
Mussa said: “We wish to emphasize that no one is above the law in this country and the police will continue to fight lawlessness, ensure lawfulness and order, and secure life and property.”
He emphasized that Government will neither defend anybody who violates the law for any reason whatsoever nor support exercise of rights in a manner that disregards the rights of other people.
Mussa concluded by pleading with Malawians in ensuring that Malawi continues to be a peaceful country.
The clash in the capital left about 13 people with albinism including their leader Overstone Kondowe injured while eight others were arrested, detained at Lumbadzi Police Station before being released late Saturday.
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Mumafuna muwatenge ziwalo poyelayela eti?
There is room to murder them but no room for them to protest against it. What a bunch of lowlifes and thugs the DPP is. Your fingerprints are all over these murders.
APAM shud meet the other Albinos who met the president and find out what was agreed and together set their own taskforce to monitor progress on the promises made. Or are the other people who met the president not Albinos. APAM. You refused to meet the president now you are mad he doesn’t want to meet you because he has already outlined a plan on your grievances.
Charlie hebdo, you are right. Why is president above the law? And how did they open an organisation account with standard bank, whose sole signatory is maliseche? Ask bank people, it requires alot of documents and paperwork to open an organisation account. They aloow two or more people to have signing powers, not just an individual. This is a corrupt government must go in May please.
This govt is on death bed…..last nail on coffin may 21.The most corrupt.. incompetent govt we ever had…Rest in pieces….and may you bury your heads in the sand in shame…… May you be shocked by blood money you have diverted from public services to enrich yourselves.what a heartless mafia disguised as government.
This government is the worst I have ever seen. I just pray God give us a good and caring president. Just because they know there is 58 billion set aside for disaster, its an opportunity for them kuti abe. Nkhani ya ma albino tinayamba kale kale kuyiva but the government has been passive. I know if you are in this government you will support everything because you part of the thieving machinery. I must admit these albinos didnt do the right thing. However, what else should they do, they have tried to employ diplomacy but all in vain.
Foseki when thugs are beating Kalindo is that no Lawlessness. My advice is Malawi is a failed state. Albinos please seack ASSYLAM from UK
M’mesa anakana kuonana ndi president. You think because you are albinos the world should spin around you?. Rubbish I wish they were arrested for more than one day. Police, by releasing these guys same day you are showing favouritism – let the law take it’s course. These guys are hiding under albinism to advance political agendas. No wonder they are sold by their parents and relatives kusowa nkhalidwe. this was a big flop and no rational person is sympathising
Inu mukudana ndi nkhanza yet its ok for you to stone and harm other people. STUPID.
No room for lawlessness really “ana adadi” plates we see around the streets then??? They have impunity immunity? You have fail the albion clueless govt. These people are only 15000 of the 17 000 000 population how had can it be to protect them. You deployed the military for the floods victims..you cut short your Mzuzu trip for the same MR President what if you show same care and action with APAM and the albinos? Your imagine would have been okay.
why releasing them same saturday? they should have spend at least two days in police custody. why blocking the road inu anthu a albinism? there are steps to follow in showing grievances, that being said never deny others their rights as well nore put other peoples life and property in danger. what APAM did is very shameful!
My advice to our dear relatives with Albinism. You are aware of what tough times Malawi is going through. As I am talking, our friends are dyeing due to floods in their homes and some are hospitalized because of severe injuries due to the same floods. Cholera out breaks are coming out to some of the districts, some areas are facing hunger and many more. Malawians will not keep on listening to Albinos only because there are many striking issues we need to attend to also. The president gave you an opportunity and chance to meet him. Your friends who are also Albinos (PACWAC) went to meet the president but you the disgruntled group refused. When you say that this time you want to meet the president, what do you want him to do now different from what your friends discussed with him. Why couldn’t you go in the first place to meet him and then hold your vigils after he failed to address your issues. You think just because you are albinos, then Malawi should stop everything but only concentrate on you the disgruntled group. The police please do your work. we are with you. These people are showing us that they are doing politics now which is well funded.
“Government will never defend anyone who violates the law”. Well said, Hon. Mussa. I like it. Let us start with APM who has violated the law left, right and centre. We understand he cannot be prosecuted due to the immunity he has as president, but why defend him. There is irrefutable evidence of the corrupt deals he has been involved in since becoming president of this country, but your government has been quick to defend him. Should I remind you of the “generous” donation of vehicles from Zameer Karim whose title holder is the president himself? Can he refute that he did not personally benefit? What about the MWK145 million donation? I wonder how a party with seemingly rational beings can sidestep governance procedures to allow an individual to decide how things have to be done contrary to their party’s constitution. If you ask me, he personally benefited from the MWK145 million. Members of his party revere him because he is the key to the party’s finances. DPP gurus did not want anyone they deemed powerful to contest against him for the party’s presidency for this same reason. He is DPP presidential candidate for this same reason, and therefore personally benefited.
It’s only two months to go before your government can indeed never defend anyone who violates the law, for you will be out of government by then. I yearn for the day when all those who have abused our hard earned resources will be brought to book.
Mr minister u forgot to add that government has a duty to ensure that people with albinism are wiped out in Malawi.
Government needs to be commended for acting in the manner that they did yesterday. Bravo Malawi Police got timely managing the evil spirit growing in some people with albinism. There is no justification of whatever sort for these people to be causing lawlessness in Malawi because of their condition. We all have challenges which our government may need to assist in mitigating. People with albinism should not think they are above everybody due to what they are! Accept your condition and move on. The extent to which these people are taking the law is testing the waters and needs a total control. I for one, will stop being sympathetic with them if this is the direction they want to take the whole country to. It’s totally unfair and unacceptable to block main roads and stone at people for no reason at all. Stop these barbaric acts and recognize who you are and work along with government to manage the very evil acts of killing you for riches. Causing anarchy will not solve the situation. The ball is in your court!
They should not have been released akanakawaponya ku maula akachoke chamba