Malawi holds peaceful protests: Drama over parallel demo in Lilongwe
Business went as usual in the Capital City Lilongwe as Malawians held peaceful demonstrations to express anger over dwindling of health service delivery in Malawi hospitals although there was drama as the two parallel demonstrators with different issues delivered their petition to authorities.
The Tuesday demonstrations took place and finished without serious incidents of violence or rioting. Caution was taken because of the violent protests in July 2011, where nationwide rioting left 19 people dead.
Human Rights defender and social commentator, Billy Mayaya was the first on the programme to deliver petition to President Peter Mutharika through Lilongwe City Assembly officials.
A handful people took part in the Mayaya organised demos while Police outnumbered the demonstrators protesting soaring costs caused by inflation and calling on President Peter Mutharika reduce his spending on travel and asking government to fast-track reforms to include mechanism to crackdown on corruption and win donor confidence.
Mayaya said he was not discouraged with a small number of protestors, saying what was paramount to him was to deliver the petition to the President.
“Day in day out we continue to witness the continued decline in quality of services in provision of service delivery in key sectors such as health, education and energy. We demand the President to address these concerns,” said Mayaya.
Receiving the petition Director of administration, Dyson Milanzi received the petition on behalf of Lilongwe City council Chief executive officer.
In the same capital city, another demonstration was also held to raise awareness on the need for Malawians to support and own the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Delivering the petition titled “SDGs are the hope for millions of Malawians let us unite to implement them,” former president of Malawi Congress of Trade union, Luther Mambala said citizens and the civil society are mindful of the fact that commendable efforts were made to achieve the MDGs and that the progress made this far will lay strong foundations needed for the achievement of the SDGs.
Mandala called upon President Mutharika to create to more space for citizen engagement around the SdGs.
“We also urge NGOs in the country to align themselves with SDGs,” said Mambala.
Earlier, Executive Secretary for Citizen Alliance Wilson Asibu said he was not happy that Government had hijacked the caravan.
“What we did is that we invited government to be present but to our surprise they came here with placards which contain foul messages,” said Asibu.
Some of the messages which were under protest and later removed included:”Chakwera and Msowoya abweze K300million,” which referred to the story on the procurement of four executive vehicles by Parliamentary Services Commission for the Speaker, his two deputies and leader of opposition.
But after lengthy discussions, the placards were later withdrawn from the public.
Minister of Information and civic education Jappie Mhango, Presidential advisor on CSOs Mabvuto Bamusi, Chief presidential economic advisor Collins Magalasi and Lilongwe CEO attended the SDG’s demo.
Receiving the petition, Mhango promised to Mutharika.
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Tsono where is the loudmouthed MCP and their so called leadership? Apatu it’s a blow in the face. Obusa ndi O Jessie, mukumva bwa mthupimo? Ndale mumzionera patali zijatu ndi zimenezi. 2019 tidzakuonetsani kiyama bad!
Vito ndikukwatira ulibe kanthu. Ndani amafuna mwana wake adzivutika ndikumadyetsa mwamunayonso. Zaka zochepa wosabwelera ku School akhoze frivolous bwanji.
a josophat you have said it all that no kingdom last longer thus according to history so leave DPP Alone.after all where is the connection between lomwe and DPP…Dont try to be tribalism coz u just make your comment baseless.Wait ur time will come and you do it right but as for now its mutharika.gv him space so that if he flops he flops well and also if he perfoms he perfoms well.am out!
Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa still clueless after 50years of freedom, Malawians are still suffering worse more than thangata
You demonstrators, Maganizo oti anthu alimbikire ntchito Ndi abwino. Abwana President unikani m’mene anthu akugwirira ntchito. Nthawi zina tumani ena ngati ma inspectors ochokera m’mastatutory cooparations a medium ndi low ranking apite muzipatala ngati akufuna thandizo muwone nthawi imene amabwerera ma nurse ndi madokotala komanso aone nthawi imene odwala amabwera ndi kubwerera ku chipatala ndi thandizo limene alandira. Mutsimikizadi zimenezi. Komanso tidziwe kuti sizipatala zonse.
I appreciate Mayaya’s Demo, it was peaceful with no political influence. DPP government if falling down little by little that’s why is disturbing demonstrations intended to rebuke them. What I saw in Lilongwe through TV was shameful. DPP came with political agenda contrary to what the organisers had arranged. So the government was trying to cover their weakness and they achieved on the day but will not carry on achieving in the future.
Malawi is a flame of fire. take care.
Who has written the petition? Bamusi is in the president;s office already, so where does he take the petition to? from his office to his office too?The government does not demonstrate anywhere in the world. It is usually the agrieved party that demonstrate to express their anger. Learn to be civilized and never counter demonstrate because this is the common cause of violence between the two waring parties. silly nonse munajoina demo ya Bamusi using government money. God will punish you.
wastin tme yanu agalu ena kumatsata mayaya ndi ma demo akeo! Nthing wil change believe it! Goverment z bankrupt mbuli inu!
Mmmm there is better life in smongolia comparing to malawi interms health and education status
“Josophat returns” should also know that people who criticise government all the time like you will also not live forever. Infact you just exhaust yourself in the process. If you are still young I advise you to accept the situation becoz mighty DPP is here to stay.