Protesters to face ‘full wrath’ of Malawi law if they defy demo conditions
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) march will proceed with their planned anti-government demonstrations as planned on Friday but authorities warned protesters they would face the “full wrath of the law” if they defy conditions given by Lilongwe City Council (LCC) and the Malawi Police Service (MPS).
Among the conditions imposed on the HRDC is that, the demonstrations in the Capital City Lilongwe will only take a period of two hours and thirty minutes from 7.00 am to 9.30 am at which time they shall be called off and the place for delivery of the petition is the Civic Offices at city centre and nowhere else.
The demonstrations are supposed to commence from Kamuzu Central Hospital roundabout heading to Kenyatta road then towards the Convention road past Reserve Bank of Malawi then Civic Offices, according to the communication signed by LCC Chief Executive Officer Moza Zeleza.
HRDC chairperson Timothy Mtambo and his deputy Gift Trapence have confirmed receiving the letter but wondered why they have attached stringent conditions for their demonstrations when all Malawians have an equal right to demonstrate anywhere they want.
The activists are defiant that said they will go ahead with the demonstrations and stick with their planned routes.
“No one has to prescribe where to demonstrate or not. We will address this impunity of those in authority who think that they are the law itself. Why should it only be ruling party functionaries who are allowed to demonstrate anywhere in the country?
“Is the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its followers more Malawian than citizens of this country? We will make sure that freedom of assembly is protected and we are ready to challenge such behaviour in court,” said Trapence.
The HRDC had planned to start their demonstrations from Lilongwe Community Centre Ground via Mchesi all the way to the Kamuzu Central Hospital roundabout via Parliament then Capital Hill where they were supposed to present their petition.
But Zeleza has said the police whose mandate is to protect life and property will be out in full force to deal with any disturbances that may arise.
“The MPS shall provide security to maintain peace, order and ensure strict observation of the law. The organisers shall provide marshals who shall work together with the Police,” reads the communication in part signed by Zeleza.
The demonstrators are also being warned not to “indecently expose themselves fully or partially.”
Zeleza said in the communiqué: “In accordance with the Penal Code provisions regarding decency at all times before, during and after the demonstrations or at any place within the vicinity of the agreed route.”
But organisers have said protesters are being asked put on colours in the Malawi national flag: red, black and green which marks a shift from the norm of red t-shirts.
In Mzuzu, the demonstrators plan to March from Upper Stadium through Mataifa Market and High Court Roundabout to the Civic Offices where the new petition is expected to be delivered.
The demonstrations, whose theme is Restoring our Destiny, are a follow up to HRDC’s April 27 ten-point petition against poor governance which the group claims government did not fully address.
The CSOs, among other issues, want government to address worsening corruption in the country and theft of fuel worth K 1.9 billion at Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom).
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Chances are that protestors defying demo conditions will be DPP plants organised by Mchacha
Zeleza is a DPP stooge who has no mandate whatsoever to threaten the people of Malawi. Zeleza is a failure wherever he has been. Clearing the swamp means clearing stooges like Zeleza. People who have failed all their lives but good at enriching themselves – one of them is daft Zeleza.
Good luck. I just wish I knew who civil society is accountable to. They rightly criticize this incompetent government of thieves but they themselves never tell us how they set agendas and who they report to afterwards. But good luck.
We’ve nothing to do with CSO’s. Let their financiers account for them. As for me, govt is the one that takes my take – my money. I therefore can’t accept to see apumbwa squandering it
You have just convinced me why i shouldnt vote for your govt. Zofinyana ndakana
Inu ma CSO: Zokhalila muutisonyezazi pachithunzi chanuchi uutii titani nazo?
Surely the ladies can make a statement without dressing like hookers.This is where you questions the seriousness of this demo
why on earth do you think these ladies are dressed like hookers. Mukufuna abvale dzitenje ndi burka. Move with the times don’t be left behind. Chimidzi bwanji a kulu kusayenda mwazolowera ozimayi adzitenje ku Nambuma
Mbuzzi inu, mwakwatana apaaaaa, muufuna to use others for your selfish ends. Tamva mwalandila allowances from HIVOS, PP, UTM, MCP, to distabilize Malawi for hated reasons. Mbavva, mukaenda nokha ndi mahule anu mwaakwata kuthakowooo. Ife mmawa tikukayala ma bench a utaka, tomato, and ma minibus tijiya as usual, mbavva inu zachikale. MUSOVA
Cadet ukumva pain
Phamvu za udikiteta izi 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Phamvu za udikiteta izi 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Why so much impunity and arrogance by Mtambo and Tharapensi? Kufuna kubha%?
mukuchita ma demo chifukwa cha njiru and power hungry, wait for May 21 kuti tidzakuiken pa mpando mukufunawo koma zoti mulowere pawindo ngati ena aja ndiye mwalemba mmadzi.