PAC, Cdedi slam Malawi govt over new Covid-19 protocols
Two influential democracy defender organisations have sprung up to slam the government over the announced decision to close the country’s borders for 14 days and restrict public gatherings to 100 people following a new surge in cases of the coronavirus.
Quasi-religious body, the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has faulted the Tonse Alliance administration for failing to learn from the past mistakes on handling matters of national importance.
PAC spokesperson, Bishop Gilford Matonga predicts strong resistance to the re-introduced gathering restriction to 100 people as a measure to contain a second wave of virus pandemic in Malawi.
On the other hand, Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiative (Cdedi) outspoken executive director Sylvester Namiwa cautions President Lazarus Chakwera to desist from what he calls ‘trial and error’ in governing the country.
“Cdedi and indeed all well meaning Malawians questions President Dr. Lazurus Chakwera’s decision to close the borders for the next fourteen days, following the news that cabinet minister has tested positive for Covid-19.
“This is another clear case of selective application of justice. Covid-19 cases have been steadily increasing but government waited until a minister was admitted to a hospital for them to act,” he says.
Namiwa says by closing the borders government is sending a signal that the country does not have the capacity to screen the entrants, saying on the other hand, the closure of the borders means a loss in business and revenue.
He said the decision also exposes inconsistency in policy direction since the education ministry announced that the cancelled Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations will be re-administered from December 26, 2020.
“Fourthly, the decision shows the total disregard for consultations on matters of national importance, a complete departure from the Tonse philosophy since the task force team could have consulted relevant stakeholders before making such hasty decisions,” he said.
He advised the government to embrace the spirit of thorough consultations, and to refrain from the trial and error system of administration.
After nearly two months without new positive cases, Malawi on Tuesday recorded 46 new infections, bringing the total number of infections to 6,248, with 187 deaths, according to the health ministry.
Malawi’s borders and airports re-opened in October as positive cases fell, although some experts fear the real figure may be higher as just over 80,000 tests have been conducted.
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Mr Namiwa whoever is paying you to be a thorn in the side of this Tonse government is just making you look like an idiot…… First of all closing borders does not mean that there is no capacity to do tests……many countries in the world are doing the same thing to protect their citizens. As we speak the UK has closed its borders to all travellers from SA because of a new coronavirus variant that has evolved there, similarly lots of countries in Europe and other parts of the world have closed their borders not to allow anyone from the… Read more »
Apa pekha ndisusepo. Mwina a president is fighting an individual in the name of shepherd bushiri. Alesa kuti he should not hold crossover meating ku bingu stadium, panopa akuti anthu asakumane more than 100. Is this our Tonse Government as you called it or now it has become a family government. Tinapanga ma demo kuti zithu zisinthe. Tikuyembekeza zabwino zambiri kuchoka kwa inu osati zimene mwayambazi. I am MCP 💯 koma tiloreni tikapephere. Niyesa nanu mumapemphera, I can’t believe this is coming from you bwana. Chonde tiloreni tikapemphere. Komaso bushiri mwalakwa kumukhomelera kuti asapange musonkhano ku bingu stadium. Bwanji mkapereka… Read more »
Kodi inu a pac kumangotsutsa zi li zonse bwanji ndi zopanda fundo zomwe. Ndi angati abwera ku Malawi ngati ma tourists. Ma track aziyendabe ndi ma essential goods to and fro as usual. Amalawi adzibwera be kwao. Ndiye mukutokota chani kwa 12 days. Kuzolowera ma Demo anakuphunzitsani Chakwera basi.
Politicians will never learn
Namiwa says Laz has decided to close the borders because one cabinet minister is down with Covid. This does not pass the smell test. There are now over 200 active cases of the disease in the country. The Kandodo case might be the straw that broke the camel’s back, but it would be stretching it to suggest it was the driving reason to close borders and take other anti-Covid measures. Look, the Tonse govt is doing a pretty bad job as it is on its own without the need for its detractors to come up with ridiculous stories that defy… Read more »
Of a population of 18 million people, how can you honestly shut the borders and impose such restrictions based on a mere 80 000 tests. Thats less than 1% of the population. Does Malawi really have a proper screening and testing method to be plainly playing dice with our lives?
Covid-19: The Movie – second wave of coronavirus. I like the news that we now have covid-20 mutation of the novel coronavirus. Waiting for covid-21. Merry Xmas to you all.