Mayaya faces corruption allegations over demo cancellation

Rights activist Billy Mayaya is having it tough on radios to defend allegations that he gave in to police to cancel the March 10 peaceful protests over maize scarcity after his position was compromised.

Reports indicate that the government moved in swiftly soon after he announced the protest plans to offer him a hefty allowance so that he could go and check the availability of maize in Admarc depots from Nsanje to Chitipa.

Mayaya confirmed he has checked the availability of maize in Admarc depots across the country from Nsanje to Chitipa but is not telling the source of funding.

“Yes, it is true I was in Nsanje, I was in Karonga, I checked the availability of maize in most Admarc depots using my own car in my capacity as director of Right to Food Network,” Mayaya told Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ)  radio on Thursday.

He said his assessment on the trip shows there is maize in Admarc depots but not enough as evidenced by long endless queues.

Asked if the cancellation of the trip proves allegations the government had given him money, Mayaya simply hit back, “that’s bullshit.”

He said he had been an activist for 20 years and he has not allowed to be corrupted.

Mayaya said the police told him they did not have capacity to protect protestor.

“Protesters need protection so if the police say they cannot provide security, I have no option but cancel it than leave it to chance. He said organisers of the protests will now go back to the drawing board and see the next course of action.”

Last month, police in the north refused to give permission to a youth organisation for a peaceful march. The organisation went to the High Court which granted it permission.

During the protests however the police outnumbered the protesters.

Mayaya blamed the ruling Democratic Progressive Party officials and state controlled MBC for politicising his peaceful march.