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 a political thing and that’s why he employed divide and rule by politically splitting APAM and his move has flopped. The defence minister says it’s not a crisis enough. The president runs away and goes to north instead of just giving a one hour audience to hear the people’s concerns and proceed with his programs which are more important than the lives of these people. Then another minister lies in parliament that the government is taking them to the north to meet the president. And you blame these guys for the frustrations????….And surprisingly I have not seen any story where a journalist interviewed at least one of these brothers and sisters of ours. The truth is that they NEVER intended to block the road. They were told to park and go from MIM premises. Then they started off and police blocked them at MIM gate. They forced their way out to heading to APAM offices only to meet another group of police blocking them on the road. This is when they heard that the president was close to passing by there on his route from NORTH heading to south and their frustrations went even higher and police started doing what they know best on them. You can’t blame them for the frustrations! I mean how can the whole government fail to protect about 10,000 members of its 17million population???? The same government which is protecting black rhinos in National parks and sees politics, politics and politics when it comes to protecting these brothers and sisters of ours! shame on you!
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 Mtambo akupititseni ku Mwaiwathu. Mwagwa nawo game.Mukafuna kukumama with President follow the protocol. Otherwise you need go back to your homes
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 have procured panic alarms for you guys. Just doesn’t make sense what you are trying to achieve. You want to cause chaos to have a basis for the asylum that other countries have said can offer. As a road user, I hate it when people inconvenience me and block the road in whatever form.
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 be a leader. Hallelujah
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???
Last kicks of a dying horse
This is the end of Mutharika
Why is the reporter referring to the PWA as rioters? They are not rioters, they are demonstrators.
So the police have now decided to kill albinos openly by brutalizing them in the pretext of preventing riots? Sad. Very sad.
He shld not meet them these people refused and now they are blocking the road …..please mr president just implement what you promised with those who come to statehouse ….gulu ili landaleri lisiyeni ….akuona ngati basi iwowo ndiye apambana ???
Ali kuchipatalawo akunama ndinaonera pa winiko ine……nkhani izi tatopa nazo iyaaaa
Ltp , these politicians are very dangerous, yes it might happen that this group is being used by other politician, but can’t you see that the Group that met the president was just organised by some politicians as well? Just to blind us to say they are caring. My friend I salute Bakili Muluzi zikafika apa amangopanga za kukana nsalu yakulu nkuviika, I gues Muluzi could have meet them, kulandila basi azipita kwawo zinazo tizionabe koma asamasokose kunseuku.
Peter is after votes! Hence going to Mzuzu then u turn to South! He cant send his VP nor Minister to south! its all about looking like he cares to get them votes! So fake for a man who preaches stop politicising albino issue when he is being a coward escaping and arresting them! 15000 albinos u failing to handle all the money you stealing from Karim!
Ikibe oabwino if he had nst stayed ohwii u cud hv said HE is unrespomsive.Zikakhala kwa anzanu mumachuluka nzeru anthu.It takes wisdom to be a leader.
Zomablocker miseu nkumayatsa Moto ayi akuluakulu…timakhala tikuononga chuma chadziko lathu lomwe.. pliiiz stop that…just hold ur vigil not kumablocker msewu that’s being violent….akakumangani musati apolisi ndioyipa noo…ur behavior
A Kondowe amenyedwa liti ndi apolisi? He left ordinary people with albinism who were protesting hungry and without anywhere to stay. Government has had to step in and assist the demonstrators. Now Kondowe is on hospital bed seeking attention on ill-advice ya Ntambo, Kajoloweka and Trapence. Shame on you and APAM. You have lost the plot.
Before emotions start flying in lets consider a few things first. It is reported that the said protesters started rioting and blocked the M1 road and police started teargassing and employed some riot control tactics. In such a chaotic set up, the safety of anyone cannot be guaranteed, unfortunately.
I blame APAM for this……amaona ngati poti ndima albino basi awasiya osawamanga? APAM ndinu zitsiru za anthu. You will be treated like everyone else, palibe kusalana. Zimene amawachita ana aku Chanco or Poly akapanga DEMO zija ndizomwe mutaone nanunso lero…….zitsiru za anthu. Mwalowetsamo ndale nkhani ija….achina Mtambo akukunamizani amenewo…..akupweteketsani.
Uyutu akupangira dala uyu, akufuna akukwapula khofi, anthu aziti “eeeeh amenya opunduka!” Nanga nsewu umakatsekeranji? Umati ma Ambulance azidutsa bwanji nanga? Anakuyitana, udakana, pano akuti mukumane ndipo mukadakumanadi if it were not for some emergency, floods that have affected over 110 thousand people including your fellow Albions. Nde sukumvetsa patipo? Sungadikire even one day ayi? I think you must be foolish iwe eti? Tsono a Police amamenyatu, akuponda ndi jombo.
Cursed nation. A simple meeting would have resolved this issue. The problem was the divide and rule game. Innocent people being beaten. What have they done to deserve such treatment? Why why Dpp why?
Iiih abale inu, chonde musamawamenye ku police cell. Anthuwatu makhungu awo ndi ofewa kwambiri. Am so sad.
Akhondowe chonde mukuzipwetekesa. Chonde
What? Kumenya albino ndi tsoka. Apolice mukamapita ku ntchito dont act as if mwayambana ndi munthu. Dont be emotional just act positively and handle issues soberly otherwise police brutality and death in police cells will never stop. Myixxs
Nyasatimes are u backing their idea of blocking ??? They are Savages who r just being used by the Opposition. Kukhala Albino is not a license yopangira zopusa. A Police achita bwino kumubandula Kondowe yo.
A Police mumubandule Mutambo. He is the one misguiding Kondowe. Wadya banzi ya fake accent reverend.
Abale koma mpaka kumpanga block President wa dziko? Kodi anthu awa sakudziwa kuti President ankamayenda yimakhala security situation or operation? The actions by our brothers and sisters with albinism were unnecessary and a security risk. Kodi palibe anthu oti okuwapanga advise abale athuwa?
Zonsezi is because of the fueling of issues of people with albinism by greedy CSO poeple like Mutambo and Kajoloweka.