Malawi CSOs deny regime-change plot: Mtambo says NIB turning into ‘political tool of persecution’

A group of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has rejected claims by government’ security intelligence agency that it is involved in a plot to oust President Peter Mutharika.

National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) report dated October 16, 2015, alleges that Leader of Opposition and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera, civil society leaders Dorothy Ngoma and Martha Kwataine were linked with a foreign plot to bring down the Mutharika-led government through civil disturbance.

Spokesperson for the CSOs, Timothy Mtambo distanced the movement from fears highlighted NIB report .

Mtambo said NIB has signally failed to produce any tangible, much less compelling, facts in support of its allegations and warned that the intelligence agency headed by Nicholous Dausi was rapidly turning into a political tool for persecution.

“People are dying in our hospitals because of poor funding and yet someone is busy using the same resources to do unnecessary propaganda that will not bring life to those dying because there is no medicine,” said Mtambo, responding to questions from the reporters.

Mtambo dismissed the NIB report “in the strongest possible terms” and challenged government to bring evidence to back the accusation.

“When a leopard starts devouring its young ones, it starts by accusing that young one of smelling like a goat.”

Dorothy Ngoma, named by the alleged NIB report as one of the recipients of cash to destabilize the country, laughed off the report as a pack of lies, fallacious and cheap attempt to divert attention from pressing concerns of Malawians.

Mtambo added that government was busy with “divide and rule, ambush” approach to dialogue on national issues.

He said of greater concern was on reports that government was now bankrolling other civil society groups to threaten the right of other CSOs to hold demonstrations.

Information Minister Jappie Mhango said he does not comment on intelligence issues.