BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), a grouping of different civil society organizations (CSOs), has insisted that it will proceed with its planned demonstrations against the abuse of Covid-19 funds by Lazarus Chakwera’s administration.
The stand by HRDC comes at a time Malawi Police Services is arresting individuals suspected to have a hand in the malpractice.
However, in a statement yesterday, the human rights group has confirmed that it will still hold mass protests as planned.
Another CSO, Centre for Democracy and Economic Initiatives, is also holding demonstrations on 21 April, 2020 against President Chakwera’s cluelessness on different issues affecting Malawians.
Meanwhile, Police have arrested 12 more individuals suspected to have taken part in the abuse of funds that were meant to fight the deadly Corona virus, bringing the total number of the arrested to 31.
The names of the suspects include the following: Ellard Naming’ona and three others from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship services; Samuel Nankhuni and Deogratious Mmana from the Ministry of Information; Steve Vinkhumbo from the Department of Disability and Elderly Affairs; Beatrice Maluwa from the Ministry of Gender and Abubakar Nkhoma from Mangochi Municipal Council.
According to MPS spokesperson, James Kadadzera, Police detectives are still on the ground and more arrests will follow.