President Mutharika apologises to churches over Malawi Police’s conduct on Sunday

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—MalawiPresident Arthur Peter Mutharika has apologized to churches in Balaka after a police operation on Sunday in the district, which saw the law enforcers dispersing worshipers as part of efforts to contain the further spread of the coronavirus.

The president’s advisor on religious affairs told media yesterday that Mutharika is sending his apology, adding that at the moment, there is no restriction to stop prayer gatherings in totality.

Malawi Police on Sunday raided several churches across the country where congregants and church officials were defying government-issued orders banning any kind of public gatherings including worshiping in churches and Mosques as a measure to contain the covid-19

According to the police, the operation was conducted on orders from the above.

Congregants welcomed the directive with mixed reactions, with some arguing that they will continue congregating.

Announcing additional measures on 4^th April, 2020, President Peter Mutharika said “all formal meetings, gatherings and conferences are suspended forthwith.”

Malawi has so far recorded 36 cases of covid-19; three recoveries and three deaths.

Maneno Chimulala

I am a journalist, educator, and activist with passion for telling stories about social justice, sports and political issues. I graduated from Mzuzu University. I started my career at the Maravi Post online publication in 2012 as an intern while in college. Upon graduating from Mzuzu University I was offered a job as Sports Reporter because of my background as a goalkeeper and rose to the position of sub editor. I also had a short stint with Nyasatimes, Malawi Punch and Malawi Digest. Over the past seven years, I have worked intimately with rural organizations and communities in Malawi on human rights, girl child education and grassroots development projects. With an academic background in education, I also volunteer as male champion for girls’ education under Girls Empowerment Networks (GENET) in Malawi’s South West Education Division (SWED).