Persons with albinism president in hospital after Malalwi police assault
Association of People with Albinism (APAM) president Overstone Kondowe is in hospital after he was brutally assaulted by police as the law enforcers were removing people with albinism from M1 road at MIM in Lilongwe.
Police tear-gased and dispersed rioting people with albinism who blocked the MI road at MIM demanding to see President Peter Mutharika who is on his way from Mzuzu.
Charles Kajoloweka, a civil society activist who was among a group of civil rights activists who visited Apam leader in hospital, said Kondowe is not feeling well.
He said the police needed to explain why they used excess force on an armed protester.
The police have also arrested eight other people with albinism and a journalist from private broadcaster Zodiak over the protests.
The rioters said they are angered by a decision by Mutharika to cancel the intended meeting in order to hurriedly go to the south to visit victims of heavy rains and floods which has killed 23 people so far.
In an earlier interview, Kondowe accused the president of favouring one section of society.
“Our issue has been on his table for long. What people with albinism want is to meet him to discuss their protection. This issue of the floods has just come. He should meet us first,” said Kondowe.
The heavily armed police with a riot van battled with the people with albinism who had blocked the road.
The armed police officers literally picked each one of the persons with albinism one by one and bundling them in police riot vans.
The road has since been cleared and vehicles are now passing.
Presidential advisor on non-governmental organisations Mavuto Bamusi said it was imperative for Mutharika to attend to an emergency issue in the south.
“The meeting has been called off because the president has to visit the flood victims first but he is very committed to meeting the persons with albinism, he will meet them,” said Bamusi.
Minister of Gender and Disabilities Cecelia Chazama told parliament on Friday that the persons with albinism were on their way to Mzuzu to meet the president in buses under police escort.
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Its a pity that people are being blinded with political eyes on this issue. To those who have had their relatives killed in barbaric thing, like myself, what the government is doing doesn’t make sense at all. This issue has not started like now. It has been here for many years and only reached the unprecedented heights during the past four years or so. The government has had all these years to find a solution but it hasn’t cared and now they view this as a campaign issue yet they have had years to address it. The president thinks its… Read more »
DPP is dead, but what else does one expect from a failed and corrupt party being led by a senile 81 year old deputised by Chimulirenji?
If I was APM I could have travelled to MIM from Mzuzu, meet the albino demonstrators head on by walking out of the presidential convoy and engage them in a discussion right there on the road. This could have eased the tension greatly. But I am not APM.
It doesn’t happen that way. President meet delegates on a round table in an office, not in streets. Why do you prefer meeting in “streets” and in “rain” than in an office? Does it mean that they are more or easy solutions in streets that in office?
Please provide security while Kondowe is in Hospital. The DPP will go there possing as a Nurse or Doctor to finish him of .
A Kondowe inu mulankhulitsa anthu pambali. U r being used by opposition groups to advance their agenda. Please note that you are not so special group. You are just like me and others.Why blocking the road that every Malawian uses ?Please note that President is for all Malawians and not for APWA as you think. By your name we all know you are from the north where Mtambo and Kajoloweka come from . These low headed people dumped you at Mkwichi CDSS and it was government that took care of you. Lero you are on that bed . Awuzeni a… Read more »
It doesn’t make sense that when the president said come let’s talk you refused and now you say you want to meet the president. Now you are blocking the road for what. Didn’t the president himself setup a commission of enquiry that you demanded in which Vice chairperson of your board is a member? The president has outlined what government will do. So you will meet him and he is expected to do what. Give you the K3bn in cash. The government is transferring all albino students from day schools to boarding schools for easier monitoring and better protection. They… Read more »
Za kuthawa debate kwa Mbuli Chimulirenji you didn’t comment Kama this that doesn’t concern you ndiye on the forefront. DPP dunderheads. Shut up.
Kuganiza kukuchepatu apa, why don’t you just give them even an hour to read their petition then you tell them that you have received it you will respond after going through it. They could considered you as a caring leader, I understand the issue is that you have all the powers, thank you sir for that. Thomas Chibade once sang a song “Akazatidalitsa, mpando wanu tizakhalapo ndifeyo, mpamene muzaziwe kuti Mulungu ndi wankulu kuposa Kilimanjaro” Kunja kuno kuli Mulungu, you value politics thanpeople that God trusted you for, these are God’s people not yours sir, its just a prevelage to… Read more »
Pathetic Kondowe used like a condom by opposition Parties. you were invited to meet the president and you vehemently refused. Yet you portray a picture as if the president does not want to meet you and your team. politics at hand
Patheetic Kondowe used by opposition parties
People with albinism have got very, very sensitive eyes and yet you spray them with teargas? Kodi ufiti umenewu ndi otani inu apolisi ndi boma lanuli?
Zoziyamba dala. Iwo amatsekelanji nseu???