BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)– Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), undisputable replacement of the ‘MCP agent’ Human Rights Defenders Coalition, together with Blantyre Small Scale Business Operators, Blantyre Minibus Drivers and Conductors, Kabaza (Motorbike) Operators, are today, Tuesday, January 19, 2021, taking to the streets demanding the Tonse Alliance government to fulfill its campaign promises.
Initially, the demonstrations that were slated for Wednesday, 13th January, 2021, but CDEDI leadership postponed to Today 19th January 2021 following President Lazarus Chakwera’s decree that the country should observe three days of mourning from Tuesday, 12th January to Thursday, 14th January in respect of the souls of Hon. Lingson Belekanyama, who was the Minister of Local Government, and Hon. Sidik Mia who was the Minister of Transport, who died due to Covid-19.
At a joint press conference on Monday, CDEDI and all stakeholders assured Malawians that all was set for demonstrations that shall begin at 9:00 AM from Blantyre Upper Stadium going to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital roundabout then proceed to Blantyre City Council offices to deliver petition.
The statement indicates that those wishing to join demonstrations should wear facemask and have hand sanitizer to help prevent spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
“These protective materials shall also be available at the venue.”
“Key among issues for the demonstrations is the failure by the Tonse Alliance Government to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. It is disheartening to note that COVID-19 continues to affect the country when the Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima publicly told the nation that he had the capacity to contain the pandemic and that they would turn idle state residences into isolation centres once they were voted into office,” said Sylvester Namiwa, CDEDI Director.
The small scale business operators are, on the other hand, demanding the Tonse Alliance Government to honour their promise of removing all illegal immigrants who are affecting local businesses in the country’s cities and towns.
Minibus Operators are also demanding government to implement effective measures that would benefit both passengers and the businesses operators amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the run up to fresh presidential election sanctioned by both the Lower Court and Supreme Court, Chakwera and his Vice President Chilima made a myriad of promises but nothing is afoot.
On Sunday night, 17th of January 2021, Malawians had a shock of their lives when President Chakwera, during his address to the nation, shamelessly told Malawians that the Tonse Alliance campaign promises were made on assumptions and conditions that no longer hold.
Chakwera was a fan of demonstrations during the reign of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and he often joined the demonstrators in the streets.
One of the then protests organizers against DPP government, Timothy Mtambo, is now a Cabinet Minister.
