Malawi plans to outlaw street begging – official
Malawi government want to introduce an all-out ban on street begging with proposed measures to crack down on petty crime and nuisance behaviour.
The practice of begging for alms is widespread in country’s cities.
Secretary for Gender and Child Welfare Mary Shaba said the plans to outlaw street begging were imperative, considering the dangers inherent in the practice.
Speaking journalists as a news conference in Lilongwe on Wednesday ahead of the Day of African Child, disclosed that government would push for a legislation make it illegal to beg anywhere in the streets.
“We take the issue of street begging seriously,” said Shawa, pointing out that many children are forced to be in the streets by impoverished parents.
“Parents are using kids to get easy money and as government we will soon be asking all Malawians to stop this practise of giving alms,” Shawa said -adding “soon we will be pushing for a legislation to criminalize begging”.
“We want to make both giving and receiving arms illegal,” said Shawa.
Day of African child which falls n June 16 will be commemorated under the theme “rights of disabled children” in Ekwendeni, Mzimba district
This year, the Day focuses on the Rights of Disabled Children.
