MalawiWatch calls on APM to drop treason charges for MPs: Activist advise MCP to be constructive

Human rights activist Billy Banda has advised opposition political parties, mainly Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to be more “constructive and organised” to offer possible solutions to the country’s economic challenges than just aimlessly critiquing President Peter Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government.

Billy Banda:  No need
Billy Banda: Drop the charges

Banda’s call follows the arrest of two MCP top officials -Jessie Kabwila, Louis Chakwantha and Ulemu Msungama- over alleged Whatsapp ‘coup plot’ conversation on Monday.

Banda, who is also the Executive Director for Malawi Watch Human Rights, said the timing of the arrest was not ideal as it would likely be misunderstood and wrongly interpreted because it has just come after the heated Public Affairs Committee (PAC) conference and amidst food and economic challenges.

He said these challenges require collective efforts for the betterment of Malawi.

“I suspect the Head of State was not fully communicated by the Police and Intelligent agencies. I do not think the President will gladly authorise such arrests. I do not in any way condone what has been going on, in the social media.

“How can they embarrass the President whilst dreaming in colours occupying the State House? What alternatives do they have to turn around the economy over night after going to the State House?,” he queried.

Banda said much as everybody has the right to freedom of expression, a line of responsibility must always take centre space when exercising such rights.

“I strongly feel the discussions that were going on was truly demeaning the status and deserved respect of the President. An apology from the MCP President is truly necessary.

“It takes courage, humility and love of peace and coexistence to admit what went wrong and how can it be corrected.”

He then advised the Malawi leader to direct the Malawi Police to drop the charges against MCP officials, saying their thoughts to mobilization people through social media could not have materialized.

“One most worrying thing is the timing of the arrests. The Police should have assessed the negative effects and its negative reaction from citizenry who may share sympathy to those arrested.

“Much as we have the right to express ourselves freely, we are also required to avoid utterances that may lead or incite violence. The tone in those  discussions are clearly demonstrating disrespect to the President,” observed Banda.

He also advised the country’s security agencies-Malawi Police and National Intelligence Bureau  (NIB) to always act in the interest of national peace and security and also informing and advising the President on how best to handle such scenarios with raising public alarm.

Banda further warned that the arrest of these MCP officials will reflect badly on the ruling party and the President himself, observing that  this will not divert Malawians’ attention from economic hardships.

“We need to put our efforts together other than taking advantage of economic turmoil to advance our political agendas at the expense of ordinary people. We are faced with man made economic challenges, the leader of Opposition should be in forefront discussing with the government and the donor community to find solutions to our problems,” he advised.

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mavi c bandawe
mavi c bandawe
8 years ago

live everything in the hands of the authorities basi osatingoti pakamwa wowowo….

becks
becks
8 years ago

A Billy Banda you are failing to run your organisation. Every time you lament about donors not funding your organisation. How can donors fund a DPP agency. Yes I admire your eloquence but not your partisan style of running the organisation. You smell DPP big time

Eye Witness
Eye Witness
8 years ago

A Billy Banda you are failing to run your organisation. Every time you lament about donor so not funding your organisation. How can donors fund a DPP agency. Yes I admire your eloquence but not your partisan style of running the organisation. You smell DPP big time

Zidura Ntengo Undigwere
Zidura Ntengo Undigwere
8 years ago

Billy Mayaya should not be telling the Police to drop charges! The Police, and lawyers should be Very careful, and consult the law, more than once, on this matter. If these coup plotters were indeed discussing coup d’etat, on line or elsewhere, they should face the consequences. If the offence is treason, let it be. If its is attempts to disturb the peace, let it be. But there must be consequences for these criminal attempts. We have no sympathy for these naive “politicians”, typified by Jessie Kabwila-Kapasula. Agwe nazo baasi; ife tilibe nanu chisoni – ngati timadya kunyumba kwanu (… Read more »

Lucas Magombo
8 years ago

Zonse mwakamba zamveka bwana Billy Banda, koma ife si ana. President akudziwa ndipo ndiyemwe walamula kuti atsogoleri a MCP amangidwe. Police yomweyi tsiku lina izakhala mu ulamuliro wa MCP.

mahomwa Nyika Republic
mahomwa Nyika Republic
8 years ago

I wish YATUTA AND MACHIPISA MOVEMENT was good for stupid leaders

tombolombo
tombolombo
8 years ago

anthu opanga zopusa ngati kabwira azimangidwa,hule limeneri ndichifukwa linathetsa banja chifukwa chopanda ulemu,taona ukusowa okunyenga,chilengedwe chikukusempha,ukanakhala manuna ndibwenzi utafunsira,kapena ndiwe ndiwe lesbian

Zimbaboy
Zimbaboy
8 years ago
Reply to  tombolombo

Out of oder

Nyapapi Ngongoliwa
Nyapapi Ngongoliwa
8 years ago

I know Billy very well. Anadya chibazi after he was given the Chairmanship of Malawi Gaming Board. There is no way he can advise the President objectively. Billy and Mabvuto Bamusi are in the same boat. Song praisers

chilobwe
chilobwe
8 years ago

Iam sorry Billy you are touching a very wrong button. Just shut up your mouth. You do not know that the whole issue is between the Chewas with Tumbukas against Lomwe people. This is real and there will be blood blood if those connected to this saga are not careful. you Chewas and Tumbukas you have always taken Lomwes for granted and KUMATITENGERA KU NTOSO. you think we are stupid people . Keep on mobilizing yourself and we Lomwe people are ready to die for our freedom. Foolish Foolish ndikale lija. Those in Diaspora who have contributed to this you… Read more »

H.S. Phiri
H.S. Phiri
8 years ago

Amalawi tiyeni tikonde dziko lathu. Chonde nkhondo simanga mudzi. Monga tamvera the whatsapp conversation that was extracted indeed was coup plot but a billion question is: why couldn’t they use that forum for solutions our country is facing? Look what happened in Egypt yes Mubarak was overthrown and the new president was sworn in but what happened to Moorse, only a year he was also booted out of office. Mind you the Bible says muyeso womwe uyezera nawo mnzako dziwa iwenso udzayesedwa ndi motero. What am i trying to mean? The solution is not overthrowing govt but if you do… Read more »

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