Malawi CSOs unveil demo details: ‘Dress anything red’

Malawi civil-society groups  have revealed details of a  massive demonstration planned for January 13 by on the “deteriorating”  state of governance in the country and alleged abuse of funds meant for use in the fight against HIV and AIDS by private organisations with strong links to the President Peter Mutharika.

Red army: Back in the streets on Jan 13
Red army: Back in the streets on Jan 13

Among other issuses the CSOs will be holding street protests pressing First Lady Gertrude Mutharika’s Beatify Malawi (BEAM) trust to return funds it obtained from National Aids Commission (NAC) worthy MK5 million which was not related to HIV and AIDS.

A part from BEAM, the organizers of January 13 demonstrations wants Mulhakho wa Alhomwe, a cultural grouping which President Mutharika belongs to return money amounting to MK9.5 million it obtained from NAC.

The CSOs also want President Mutharika to act on some of the challenges rocking the country such as the increase in industrial strikes and others.

Notice

In a letter to the District Commissioner for Lilongwe which has been copied to the media, the Inspector General, Chief Secretary to Government and CEO Lilongwe City council, the 23 concerned groups have said the demonstrations will take place in Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe Mzuzu cities and also Karonga district from nine in the morning.

“On behalf of the listed organizations, we write to notify your office about the planned demonstrations in line with section 96 [1] of the Police Act [2010] which requires the conveners of the demonstrations or protests to give notice of not less that forty-eight hours [48 hrs].

“These demonstrations are in protest of the unwarranted funding from NAC of HIV and AIDS funds to organizations that are not meant to receive such funding, and the general decay of the state of governance in Malawi,” reads the letter delivered to District Commissioner for Lilongwe .

Routes

The information is complete with the routes that demonstrators would take and where petitions would be presented.

The CSOs say in Lilongwe, demonstrations will start from the community centre ground via Mchesi past Kamuzu Central Hospital via Lingadzi round about past NAC offices and parliament building before delivering the petition at civic Offices.

In Blantyre, those participating in the demonstrations will assemble at Upper Stadium through the high way to deliver petition at Civic Offices. In Mzuzu, assembly will be at Katoto and match throughMzuzu Clock tower via the high Court roundabout before delivery of a petition at Civic Offices.

In Zomba, the plan is for CSO members and other demonstrators to assemble at the community centre ground then a match through Mponda Primary and direct to the Zomba district assembly to deliver the petition

According to the statement, in Karonga district, demonstrators will gather at Karonga round about and match directly to the district council offices to deliver the petition.

Peaceful

Organizers of the demonstrations say the protests, which will be undertaken by Malawians from all sections of the society, will comply with dictates of the law and will be peaceful.

Over 22 civil society organizations, including some rights activists endorsing the demonstrations in their individual capacity are expecting to take part.

“We trust, Sir, that by this notice, the relevant security organs of the government will take their rightful role as provided for in the Republican Constitution, and further, in accordance with section 40 [2] [d] in respect of prevention of obstruction on occasion of public assemblies, processions or demonstrations on the public roads or streets,” reads a statement released Wednesday.

The statement, signed for by Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation-CHRR- is said to have been endorsed by: Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), Nurses Organization of Malawi, Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with HIV and AIDS, Malawi Network of People Living With HIV.

There is also the Citizens for Justice (CFJ), Civic and Political Space (CPS) , Church and Society Programme– Livingstonia Synod (CSP-LS) , Human Rights Defenders Forum (HRDF), Hebrews Misomali (In his capacity as a human rights defender), Benedicto Kondowe (In his capacity as a human rights defender), Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre , National Elections Trust ANPPCAN Malawi Chapter, Local NGO Forum on HIV/AIDS , Foundation for Community Support Services, Youth and Society, Child Development and Support Organization, Centre for Youth Development, Outreach Scout Foundation and Youth Watch and Society.

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bongololo banda
9 years ago

The demonstration has nothing to do with PP zotukwanana ayi Be objective

clement
clement
9 years ago

Martha Kwataiwe,I didn’t espect you to be used with minority tribe who are trying to bring confusions in our peaceful nation.Keep on but only those with nothing to do will attend your fucken demos.Thanks to Christian Service Committe and other CSO’s for not participating.

Azo
Azo
9 years ago

Tikakumana ku msewu konko!

partie
partie
9 years ago

number 61 mmaso mwa ambuyako mwana wa njoka iwe, this has got nothing to do with tribes, it simply shows how dull and stupid you are. what have we done as atumbuka, kupanda nzeru kumanenedwa kuja ndi kumeneku coz u wil neva find mtumbuka akuyankhula ngati akuyankhulira konyerera ngati mmene wapangira iwemu galu nyani iwe> u are actually the ones who think from the anus akapolo adziko inu

Fooling others
Fooling others
9 years ago

Ife a ma CSO tikukupemphani please a malawi nonse mutisapote, at least for once pa demo tikukonzayi. Anzanufe tadyatu zambiri nanga demoyi ikalephereka tizichita justify bwanji? Atipatsawo akuti isalephereke ayi nanga ikalephereka tidzabweza bwanji? Ndalama zambiri tagwiritsa ntchito kale, kumalidzitsira timanyumba tomwe tinaima chifukwa cha cashgate timadyelera ija. Of course ndalama zomwe taombazo tidya tokha monga mwa nthawi zonse. Tsono enanu mukamati mfwiii mfwiii mademo ayi ife a chi na Martha Kwataine, Macdonald Sembereka, Timothy Mtambo, Gift Trapence and Dorophy Ng’oma.

Walhelha ochavo
9 years ago

Za ntiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii,za njeeeeeeeeeeeeee …za ziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii,zohohowana,….zopanda mutu….zopanda mchere zenizeni

God Hear Me
God Hear Me
9 years ago

Having analysed the trend of strikes, demonstrations and ultimatums; I think the problem is indeed beyond nacgate and salaries. One should be attempted to look at the organizations touting for demonstrations critically. It seems those organizing the 13 January demonstration are very strategic and they are looking at the next agenda after the demonstrations. Check the recent press release by Dorothy Ngoma and friends on Healthy workers threats for strike. Dorothy Ngoma after organizing 13 January demos goes ahead and connive with MCTU for the possibility of organizing another demonstrations in the name of healthy workers. What do you want?… Read more »

zebe
zebe
9 years ago

Demonstrations are the only way to show displeasure with authorities on issues affecting the society. It is only in Malawi where people choose to remain quiet and suffer in silence and demonise anyone who comes out and speak. Kamuzu sananame anatipezadi tikuyenda maliseche komanso opanda nsapato. With the way things are, there are enough grounds to march against this passive government

jm
jm
9 years ago

Kikkkkk, koma atumbuka nde mumaganizira from ur bottom and not head. I wish u had minds to think with. Anzathu a PP, nde mbuzi zina zamamina! Kikkkkk- tiziona.

kwabaniso
kwabaniso
9 years ago

Kodi Demo yi ndi ya K5million ya Beam ? kapena K75million ya Joyce Banda Foundation International???????
K5 million ya Beam yabwezedwa koma Joyce Banda sanabwezebe K75 million, kapena wakutumani ndi Joyce Banda kuti muchite Demo? anayiwala kuti iye ndi amene anayamba kutenga ndalama za NAC? a CSO mwalemba mmadzi, Demo sikhalako, Joyce Banda wanuyo waululika

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