By Angella Semu
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Civil society leaders have expressed dismay in the carelessness and undemocratic actions by current ruling regime on how they have been handling the novel Coronavirus and various other challenges the nation is encountering.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued on Friday July 17 signed by the civil society leaders including Luther Mambala, Billy Banda,Unandi Banda, Ceaser Kondowe and Philip Kamangirah
In a statement, civil society highlighted how the leaders of the nation had prioritized politics instead of human life by declaring Covid-19 unreal and completely undermined the COVID 19 response strategies that were put in place by the then regime.
The civil society also expressed disbelief in the President’s call for national prayers while his Cabinet Minister has organized a Political rally in Mangochi in order to unveil a candidate following the planned by elections.
The civil society has therefore called upon Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to immediately suspend the by elections as one way of safeguarding Malawians from Covid-19 and has asked for an apology from the current regime to the nation for lack of wisdom and careless remarks on Covid-19.
The civil society leaders have also condemned the ongoing political persecution and witch hunting following the harassing, intimidating, and arresting of people for their political affiliation without enough investigations into the alleged crimes.
The civil society has therefore asked the governing leaders to only arrested and charge people because they committed a crime that can even be proved in a court of law and not because of their political affiliation in order to defend the instituted principles of democracy, justice, inclusive development and security for all Malawians following democratic transition in 1994.
The civil society leaders have also expressed shock with remarks by President Lazarus Chakwera on his 3rd speech on the nation address in which he claimed that all the 26 years of democracy were a rabble.
The leaders have reminded Chakwera that Malawi is a democratic state and no attempt should be made to bring us back into one party system.
The leaders have also condemned the disrespect of the Rule of Law demonstrated by the ruling regime that has been displayed through the dissolution of MERA Board which is against Section 8(1) of the Energy the Regulation Act which states that:
“A member of the Authority shall not be removed from office except for reasons of incompetence or misconduct and only after due inquiry and subject to the approval of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Appointment”.
There was no immediate reaction from President Chakwera’s office on the matter raised.