Mayaya’s credibility questioned: Newspaper says activist ‘should not take Malawians for granted’
Malawi’s flagship newspaper, The Daily Times has criticised human rights activist Billy Mayaya for “disrespectfully” cancelling the much publicised maize scarcity peaceful protests “just hours before staging it today.”
Mayaya planned endless vigil against President Peter Mutharika from allegedly being insensitive to maize shortage and economic problems but on Tuesday announced the protests will not take place.
“While we appreciate that Mayaya has a right to his opinion, we find it disrespectful of him to expect Malawians to dance to his whims,” the editorial reads.
Observers say Mayaya has been influenced by other quarters to cancel the demonstration, fuelling rumours that he has been “palm oiled”.
But Mayaya denied that government can influence him.
“You know my reputation, I cannot sink so low,” said Mayaya.
He said all he needed was to verify maize availability in the Admarc deports and he is satisfied the situation is improving, saying he will still engage government “in dialogue.”
But the newspaper pointed out that Mayaya’s credibility “becomes questionable.”
The editorial reads: “We have every reason not to take Mayaya serious next time when he organises another protest if his assessment of the situation is not based on sound footing.”
The paper also questioned the funding of Mayaya’s national tour of his “misplaced assessment” on maize situation.
Mayaya said he used his own resources.
The paper, though, stated that Malawians are now more knowledgeable and critical than they were a year ago.
“No one should be under the illusion that they can stand on the shoulders of poor Malawians to attract attention for personal gains,” concluded the paper as Nyasa Times can’t agree more.
Malawians continue to face severe hardships, with some citizens having to sleep in long queues in order to buy maize from Admarc.
Opposition parties recently shared their opinions on the issue, giving President Mutharika an ultimatum to improve the ailing economy within 90 days or hand in his resignation.
Pressure seems to be mounting daily against Mutharika, with citizens calling for a speedy remedy to the country’s economic ills.
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Mayaya wachita bo! Fans ina ndi azipani ena amfuna akwere pansana pako. Opposition supporters too noisy on facebook, WhjatsApp and Nyasatimes. Many of you thought APM can be jittery coz of Jessie and Lucy Chitembeya. I was amazed by an analysis that a certain villager put across, educating learned town mongers. He said in last by-elections, MCP came to nothing in the South. But DPP ame second and trailed very close to the winners of the polls in Mchinji. His argument was, with such a trend, which party is strong? Which party can have a winning president? The learned town… Read more »
Mayaya. Wangodya zam’manja basi.
Billy Mayaya, my man! Enanu muphulika ndithu! Last time, he walked alone all of you who are angry with him munali mzinyumba zanu. Now you think we demonstrate on Nyasatimes? eh kkkkkkk.
You had your breakfast this morning and your lunch plus 15:30hrs tea and mwati Mayaya akakuyenderani? Where were you when he walked alone? Did you even say “You will never walk alone?”
Dont waste tym with mayaya he knows wat he wants from government.malawi its flames and flames its fire the fire it burns that is means we will be burning until forever unless we change the way of voting to leave khalamba.
makape amenewa,asamaone ngati ndife opusa ayi,akufuna kuchita bwino,kuseli kwa mavuto akukumana nawo anzawo.mayaya-yo ampasa ndalama kutereko,waika nthumba mwake.
BRAVOOOO Mayaya !!!!!!!!!! you are indeed a reall man, don’t just criticize anything. congrats
You Times Group! Why dont you organise your demo? Why waiting for Mayaya only? Useless!!!!
So The Daily Times had already reserved their front page for Mayaya’ s demos. What a shame. You mean you havent learn that Mayaya is a frustrated man. We hear from papers that he has an organisation but where is it. Daily Times trying kukweza nyani mu mtengo
KKKKKKKK mwagwanayo, ndimazifunsa kuti kani ku Malawi kungapezeke mnthu omenyera ufulu anthu, I know now sazakhalapo shame!!!!!!!!
Please think before you waffle