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!