Malawi demo runs peacefully: CSO’s hail police

Malawi civil society groups anti-government demonstrations in the capital Lilongwe  proceeded peacefully on Tuesday.

Spokesman of the protests Timothy Mtambo  described the demonstration as a success .

The groups alsi commended Malawi Police Service for conducting themselves professionally during the demonstrations.

Mtambo said police did their constitutional role in protecting the lives and property of Malawians.

The demonstrations started at Kamuzu Central Hospital roundabout at a low note as only few people were present  but hundreds joined later.

Addressing the gathering, Manerela executive director Reverend Mac Donald Sembereka said demonstrations are not about numbers but the intended message delivered.

However as the demonstrators were approaching National Aids Commission (NAC), a lot of Malawians came in and join the protests. Notable among the protestors were spokeswoman of main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Dr Jessie Kabwila.

At NAC, the demonstrators camped temporarily where Gift Trapence and Mtambo led demonstrators in speeches.

Mtambo accused NAC for disbursing cash to Organisations who are not in HIV and Aids Programmes.

“Malawians are concerned that whilst the country is still facing shortages of antiretroviral (ARVs), it is surprising to note that resources for such a purpose have been misdirected to entities that do not directly deal with HIV/ AIDS interventions such as BEAM Trust (K5 million) and Mulhakho Wa Alhomwe (K 9.4 million) which is tantamount to abuse of resources,” said Mtambo.

“Malawians are disappointed that the process of granting funds to the stated recipients was not fair considering the fact that some organisations earmarked for funding for duly approved HIV/AIDS intervention are yet to receive their funding on grounds that funds were not available.

“This has created the impression that the decision to grant resources to the stated recipients was due to political manipulation. We are concerned that the impression created by NAC in this regard might jeopardise Malawi’s application for funding from the Global Fund for HIV//AIDs.”

Safari Mbewe of Manet Plus also urged immediate refund of money which were poorly disbursed.

He expressed wary that lLoss of funding [from Global Fund] to interventions on HIV/AIDS, due to the malpractice, would put at high risk the lives of many