By: Lloyd M’bwana
The South Africa-Malawian based Prophet Shepherd Bushiri of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) on Wednesday. March 9 resumed maize distribution to about 961 people in 10 villages in the Traditional Authority (T.A) Chitukula in the rural Lilongwe.
Prophet Bushiri maize distribution resumption comes following the Malawi government clearance on the exercise after a month the Man of God wrote a complaining letter which alleged that the authority was failing to support his initiative speculating that maize distribution was political.
This is the third time Bushiri is in the country as last month did the same exercise distributing relieve items to those affected with floods and famine in selected districts including Zomba, Lilongwe-Nathenje but failed to finish the exercise in Karonga due to government political bickering over the exercise.
In an exclusive interview with The Maravi Post soon after distributing 1000 bags of 25 Kilogram at Dedza Private Primary school at Area 25 in the capital Lilongwe, Prophet Bushiri expressed gratitude for government clearance towards the exercise saying it was God’s will for him to save the starving children.
The Malawian Prophet hinted that the initiative was not meant for political reasons arguing that he believes in God who love hence is sharing the little he has to people.
“I feel good to back in Malawi, my home to save God’s children through maize distribution following government endorsement over the exercise. I am here to show God’s love. This initiative it’s not meant to score political mirage because I believe in God who sends me to do this work whole heartedly.
“I will continue distributing maize to the my sisters, brothers, fathers, mothers who are in dare need of food and even those left in suspense in Karonga upon the authority’s lack of interest over the exercise”, assures Prophet Bushiri who was physically distributing the maize to the villagers.
When asked where he was sourcing the maize following government to distribute enough staple food in Admarc deports, Bushiri said the maize was bought in Zambia and other SADC countries.
“I am buying the maize in Zambia and other SADC countries such that not only Malawi is in daring need of the food as the distribution exercise will be extended to other countries in the region. But, home should be first in everything that’s why I’m here for this exercise”, delighted Prophet Bushiri.
Surprisingly, some People’s Party (PP) officials including Makande, Ralph Kasambara, Pika Manondo Halima Daudi, Brown Mpinganjira and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Member of Parliament (MP) and Comedian Bon Kalindo (Winiko) were seen carrying bags of maize to the beneficiaries.
The maize distribution will continue on Thursday and Friday in Mchinji and Salima respectively as thousands villagers are expected to receive 25 kilogram of maize for free.
Over 2.8 million Malawians are dire need of food due to poor harvest the country experienced last growing season-2014/2016 caused by unfavourable weather pattern which saw some parts hit hard with floods, dry spells and torrential rains.
With the latest report from Civil Society Agriculture Network (CISANET), Oxfam and Cadecom which was released over the weekend shows that for five districts sampled including Chitipa, Kasungu, Machinga, Balaka and Mulanje only 30% of their markets were found selling maize while the rest were run out of stock.
Random interviews The Maravi Post conducted last week and Monday in selected markets in the capital Lilongwe including Area 25, Kawale, Mchenzi, Likuni vindicated similar fears that hunger was biting hard as starved families through women were seen in long queues and even spending nights at Admarc deports in searching for maize.
This is despite Malawi government claims that additional 10,000 metric tons of maize stock was procured last month from Zambia.
Meanwhile Admarc Chief Executive Officer Foster Mulumbe has assure the general public that his organization has enough maize stocks till April this year which other quarters of the society have disputed the claims regarding to short supply of the commodity in Admarc selling points across the nation