Malawi turns ‘security state’ as soldiers deployed on streets to uphold demo ban
Malawi deployed soldiers on the streets of the capital Lilongwe, commercial city of Blantyre and northern city of Mzuzu on Wednesday after the country’s Supreme Court of Appeal approved a 14-day moratorium against demonstrations being led by Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) who want to force Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah to resign.
HRDC were scheduled to start three-day demonstration on Wednesday but after the court order to suspend the protests, they could not take to the streets.
Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers in their armoured vehicles were deployed in the streets and strategically parked from Area 18 Roundabout, where the Lilongwe demonstrations were supposed to start from. There were also police officers.
At Area 10 junction, there were five armoured vehicles and two military trucks stationed and a number of MDF soldiers.
In Blantyre, there were also heavy police presence on the commercial city’s streets amidst fears that some people could have taken to the streets.
Riot police vehicles were strategically positioned in places such as Kamuzu Upper Stadium while the main gates for Chichiri Shopping Centre were closed although business was in progress inside the perimeter.
Police officers in full combat gear were also seen at Northgate mall opposite the Polytechnic among other places.
In Mzuzu, MDF soldiers were also deployed in the streets to enforce the suspension of the demonstrations.
In the northern border district of Karonga, MDF soldiers disbursed people that gathered at Karonga Round after a car went around in the morning mobilising people despite the Supreme Court of Appeal’s order that HRDC should not hold the protests.
The decision by Justice Lovemore Chikopa of the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal on Tuesday follows an appeal by Attorney General (AG) Kalekeni Kaphale against the HRDC after High Court Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda refused to grant the AG an injunction against the protests.
HRDC had sought the court’s relief and applied to start judicial review against Minister of Information, Civic Education and Communications Technology Mark Botomani’s statement in which he ordered a stop to the protests, further warning that protesters will be met with force in the streets.
In the Civil Cause Number 75 of 2019, HRDC is the applicant, while Minister of Information, Minister of Homeland Security and Inspector General of Police are first, second and third respondents, respectively.
Justice Charles Mkandawire granted the HRDC an order to start judicial review proceedings and an interlocutory injunction against use of force by law enforcers during demonstrations.
The government defended its position saying that recent protests “had not been peaceful” and had led to “vandalised offices”.
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Koma Mtambo uyu ndi chitsiru cha munthu! Akutipangisa manyazi anthu a kumpotofe bwanji! Ife timanyadila Professor Authur Mutharika wathu ndipo tikuwafunila zabwino zonse kuti apitilize zitukuko kuno ku Mpoto monga Mzimba Solola Stadium, Mbombera University, Ma Office a kwa DCs, Mnjiri Bridge, mseu wa Jenda Edingeni and many more developments. ‘Bravo Prof Delivery!’ ‘Bravo Mayi wa fuko la Malawi – Mayi olimba mtima – Dr Janeh Ansah!’
NORTHERN REGION HIGH COURT JUDGES ARE SO BRAVE BECAUSE THEY READ BOOKS AND NOT SUPREME COURT JUDGES FROM LOMWE BELT GIVING INJUNCTION MID NIGHT
Chakwela will soon experience heart failure. I understand even the wife is not happy with her husband behavior.His children are so ashamed about their father especially the pastor. They strongly feel their father is out of God’s presence as he used to be.
ONLY PROFESSIONAL JUDGES WHO ARE NOT HUNGRY FOR MONEY WILL DISCHARGE THEIR DUTIES ACCORDINGLY THAN THOSE ATTACHED TO Dpp and give FAKE RULING
COURTS ARE GETTING EXTRA PAY FROM Dpp
Kuombera mmanja mfit kumati nzanga kkkkk A Donoro Smbereka ndi a Tarapesi Gifit!!!!!You guys donot know what you are missing!!!Do you know actually who Mtumbuka is????Find out the caliber of this tribe!!You are busy drumming up support for Mtambo to utter rubbish against MEC and the Rulling Party!!!Mtumbuka simwamumva akuti kuMulanje sikungakhachoke mwana wanzeru wokhoza Std 8 exams!!!!Brilliant people are only from the North as per their perception@@####!!!!!????If the top most candidate had come from Karonga ,Rumphi then it was fine with them.The issue is that a Lhomwe candidate has made it ,now it is an issue of quarter system of which I do not believe.
Nundwe the army general has odered his boys to beef up security ,hear what will they say.Mtambo is praised as if he has done anything good for Malawi.The elections where not rigged.The issue is hateful heart of the Lhomwe tribe which is making it into education,socialy and politics !!It is a thorn in the flash now.But the Lhomwes are brilliant too and are clever,Saadati tuuu kkk
NANGA MTAMBO WAKUNAMIZA GALUWE?
KUBA NDI ZIGOLOLO NDIZIMENE MU LOMWE AMATHA KWAMBIRI
Guys, do I see a bottles of beer in bag of one of the Mitambo’s brother who was on his way for demos?
Ndie yake
Hrdc izanva nkhwangwa ili mmutu.
Mtambo should resign for mismanaging demonstrations. Demonstrations have been marred by irregularities.
There is no adequate reason to stop demos as shrined in the constitution of Malawi. No one can stop demos this is the right of citizen. Where are security forces you are threatening to use force. Why can that force not applied on offenders.
The constitution was made by man for the good of man. If it is not working, it is man who should change it.
MANY JUDGES ARE FOR Dpp and Chakwera dont waste time and all there are doing in Lilongwe is to enrich themselves and those Judges will be billionaries ANGOFUNA KUPUSITSA WA OPPOSITION ZABODZA ZENI ZENI KUCHEDWETSA DALA. TICK IMENEYO KAPHALE NDI POTANI.
Malawi government now means business. Seriously.
Enough destruction by Mtambo and co. and their co-Malova, all sponsored by oChakwera and “HARDtalk” Chilima.
All these people should thank their lucky stars because if this was happening in some countries in the neighborhood, prison would be home for them, YESTERDAY.
The tolerant leadership we currently have in this country is one of a kind.
This is not to pump up APM or anybody; it is the reality. Think, for a moment, if this was happening during the murderous regime of MCP’s dictator, Kamuzu. Just think about that. The contrast is clear; and no wonder MCP will be cooling their heels on the sidelines for a while: The way MCP are conducting themselves, versus DPP just gives more reasons for more Malawians who truly believe in democracy to flock towards the latter. One of the unintended consequences of the debacle MCP have boxed themselves in. UTM was done, like dinner, already – their dimly future was already projected after the election results, to be sure.
You think weakness is a sign of democracy and leadership ? During the academic freedom saga there was no direction from APM as Education Minister and you call that leadership… my foot !
A HRDC iyi sinthawi yomvela court injuctions. In the end you will achieve nothing.The way it is now DPP are there to stay. The court case will not yield anything . I would like to know what your next move is.We had hope in you guys. and you Mwananyanian. this is democracy. Forget about Kamuzu People who fight for their countries in order to get a better life for everybody DO go to prison.This APM of yours is just not up for anything. So you think it is right for a so called minister to plunder government money to buy people beer so they can go and stop demos? Malawi is a sorry state.The rich will get richer and that is it.POOR MALAWI!
Yes I agree that we have so much hope in HRDC because there is no hope in the court case. I suggest to the HDRC to be organising these demos there and then instead of planning for weeks to give room for fuckers like Kaphale to obtain injunctions. Look at the UK, Prime Minister ordered suspension of parliament yesterday, and right yesterday and today people are already on the streets protesting. Don’t take too much time preparing that’s my advice.
Soldiers it’s your time to take over the country the said called politicians have failed us please soldiers take over
Careful what you wish for. Soldiers do not bring development. They only bring endless curfews and beatings
Apparently, MCP/UTM demonstrating Malova simply wish to be beaten up … by none other than MDF soldiers. Maybe this will knock some sense into Malova’s thick skulls.
@ Mangaliso,
Soldiers do not bring development, and is the current regime bringing us development?
Taking over?? kkkkkkk which army can do that ?????? you dont think from the head.
Malawi is in the wrong hands cos this is new that MDF is deployed in our streets to force the people not to come to the streets. This Acting President must know that his days are numbered. The writing is on the wall.
Shall be this be the way of life for five years? Does Government have the resources to sustain this? Can it not be bold enough and resolve this impasse?
Mwawachita bwino agaru a HRDC PARTY WA
TIKUDZIWA KUTI COURTS,POLICE AND ARMY ARE FOR DPP
Congratulations MDF for being professional. You are the pride of the country in particular and Africa in general.
YOU JUST DONT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE PRAISING ABOUT I AM TOO SORRY FOR YOU
Ask Chakwera about this praise, he knows better, and you clapped hands the other day when he said so, hah!
Chakwera’s call urging people to demonstrate despite the injunction granted by the Supreme Court of Appeal and people’s refusal is a vote of no confidence for Chakwera.
His urging the people to demonstrate until Jane Ansah and president Mutharika step down is treasonous. The only way the president can be removed from office is through the ballot. Chakwera did not explain how the president should be removed. Since Chakwera has not organized the election, it implies that he is going to use means other than the ballot, hence treasonous.
The constitution of Malawi provides that there must be no vacancy in the office of the presidency, by calling for removal of the president without providing for the filling of the same means that Chakwera wants to break the constitution of MALAWI AND THAT IS CRIMINAL. More importantly the fact that people refused to listen to him means that people have lost confidence in him and must resign immediately.
I knew that it will come to this. Soon the army will also become infamous. Remember that when people are angry not even these weapon you are dispaying will scare them. it is just a matter of time.