MZUZU-(MaraviPost)—Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has asked the Ministers of Information and Health, Mark Botomani and Jappie Mhango respectively, to immediately resign from their positions following their embroilment in the squander of funds meant for the fight against Covid 19 pandemic.
In a letter that has been signed by HRDC’s Chairperson, Gift Trapence, the Organisation has indicated that should the two ministers fail to do as demanded, it will resort to holding demonstrations and vigils at the Capital Hill.
“You have displayed a behaviour unbecoming of the noble and honourable office that you hold. Just the other day, Mark Botomani, you were on Times Television lying to the nation that you and your team are not drawing allowances from the Covid 19 pot, only to be caught on camera conniving with your colleague to cover up the racket.
“This is a scandal of the highest proportion. You do not deserve to continue holding the office you are holding. It is more disheartening and heartless of you to note that while the Covid 19 budget is already in red, you and your colleagues are busy cashing in on the pandemic,” reads the in part.
The letter has, therefore, demanded that the ministers should return the funds which they have so far drawn from the Covid 19 budget. HRDC has also hinted that it will be writing the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to institute a thorough investigation into the scandal.
At the time Maravi Post went to press, the two ministers had not yet responded to the letter.
HRDC’s call comes at a time the two ministers are being publicly criticised for telling the general public that they are not withdrawing any allowances from the Covid 19 funds yet they have been getting hefty amounts of money; ranging from K350, 000 to K450, 000 per day in form of allowances.
Peter Mutharika: President of the Republic of Malawi
There would normally be nothing extraordinary about the leaders of the opposition parties and those of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) describing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government as complacent and incompetent on a certain issue. Indeed, in normal times, it would hardly be news. But as Malawi faces a covid-19 pandemic, the HRDC and opposition leaders have to adjust a little bit.
Much as I appreciate the efforts of HRDC leaders in holding the government accountable of its actions, a series of events that have been occurring before and after May 21, 2019 elections, point to the fact that the human rights “defenders” are just rivals of the Peter Mutharika administration. They will accuse Mutharika of raising dust even if he dances on water. This is a fact that people have severally chosen to ignore thereby rendering themselves as HRDC’s ladders in their pursuit of selfish ambitions.
Something striking happened on Friday about Malawians doing exactly above. They went into wild cerebration following Judge Kenyata Nyirenda’s decision to grant HRDC an injunction blocking the covid-19 lockdown imposed by DPP-led government as a measure to contain the deadly coronavirus; a virus that has exposed the weakness of the health system of the first world countries. Gift Trapence and friends were heroes on Friday. APM who decided to lockdown the country to basically protect the lives of people was labeled different unprintable names.
But let me tell you this in the face: neither HRDC nor opposition is sincere with covid-19 fight. In fact, HRDC advances the interests of the opposition parties on the basis of promoting human rights and good governance. They might exaggerate the government shortfalls but they will never give credit when the government rises to the occasion. The government may politicize the pandemic but the HRDC and opposition parties are not only politicizing but also putting the lives of many Malawians at risk in their pursuit of political ambitions. These two entities have been working together all along and their ultimate goal is to see Mutharika out of plot number 1. Carpetbagger, fifth columnist (pick your own terminology) that’s where HRDC leaders belong.
They may ask for inclusivity in fighting the pandemic but using words like “acting president” clearly demonstrates that they are not being sincere. In this crisis we would expect opposition parties, CSOs joining hands with government but they can’t. The later feel more comfortable working in isolation so as to fool Malawians that they have brilliant ideas on how to handle the issue at hand only that the government is sidelining them.
It is time for this to change. We need HRDC that cares and works to improve our reality, not focused on creating an alternate one. The HRDC must serve its purest democratic aim: to genuinely improve government policy, rather than simply undermining it. The tug-of-war is no longer necessary at this point! We have a common enemy in our midst.
Lockdown, a measure that was announced by the government on Tuesday, is the only mechanism that Malawi needs as the number of cases of the coronavirus escalates. It is a measure that has proved to be effective in different countries. Therefore, what a responsible human rights group would do was to politely present the concerns to the authority, rather than completely trashing the government’s effort in combating the novel coronavirus. I agree in totality with your proposal that the government must put in place safety measures to cushion the undesirable impacts of the lockdown, but the manner in which you expressed such important issues leaves a lot to be desired. Those with well frame of mind can clearly see that your sole purpose is not to complement government’s effort but humiliating the leadership of Peter Mutharika.
For countless individuals and families in first world countries, normal life has already been upended in unimaginable ways due to imposed lockdowns. But the citizens understand the situation because in a crisis drastic measures have to be taken by the authorities. Lockdown is really evil but necessary for our survival.
In a nutshell, as you (Malawians) are celebrating the injunction against lockdown in full view of covid-19, be properly informed that this virus is a real nightmare and when you are attacked, HRDC will not be responsible.
So is the injunction against the lockdown right? The cop-out answer is only time will tell. Yet the outcome is preordained.
Views expressed in this article are those of the author
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)– The Malawi government has criticised High Court Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda for granting an injunction stopping nationwide lockdown which was announced by health minister Jappie Mhango as a measure to contain the novel coronavirus.
Nyirenda, who was recently accused by the general public of undermining the coronavirus efforts, granted the HRDC an injunction against the 21-day lockdown on Friday afternoon.
HRDC and opposition parties faulted the DPP-led government for failing to announce any tangible measures to alleviate pain of millions of poor Malawians during the lockdown.
Reacting, Minister of Information, Civic Education and Communications Technology, Mark Botomani, has warned that the injunction has placed Malawian lives at risk of the pandemic.
“We have received the information with a lot of misgivings. To begin with, we did not expect that in prevailing circumstances we have a judge granting such kind of an injunction.
“You see, the very reason that government decided to lockdown the country from tomorrow (today) is basically to protect the lives of people because right now we no longer have these imported cases of coronavirus. What we have now is a local transmission,” said Botomani in an interview with BBC Africa, monitored by Maravi Post.
Botomani also quashed allegations that the government rushed to declare the lockdown without putting in place safety nets, saying the government set a package to help the poor during the lockdown period.
“As a matter of fact just today, government has been working on a package to specifically to deal with the informal sector and vendors inclusive and those that ply their trade in market places. We put in place lump sum of money so that during this time we could be able to give out to groups of people who will be able to at least have a meal during the 21-day period lockdown.
“You must also understand that we have what we call social cash transfer. Government has been implementing this program for a quite number of years. And just recently we just paid for four months the people that leaves in rural areas and those in the city; the poor of the poorest. We are targeting over 300 000 people,” he said.
Recently, Nyirenda also granted an order which released four Chinese nationals who had been quarantined at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe on March 17 2020.
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has asked President Peter Mutharika to immediately suspend the 21-day covid-19 lockdown which is expected to be effective form Saturday midnight, arguing the decree runs counter to protection and promotion of human rights.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe, HRDC chairperson Gift Trapence said the coalition is set to challenge the lockdown in court if Mutharika gives a deaf ear to their concerns.
“We are not relenting on fighting for the rights of Malawians and I would like to assure everyone that HRDC will do anything possible to protect the interests of Malawians, particularly during this difficult time. We believe that this lockdown will violate the rights of Malawians in so many ways,” said Trapence who took over HRDC leadership from Timothy Mtambo.
He added: “Of course, we know that Mutharika does not listen. But we want to warn him that his decision will lead to huge sufferings among Malawians. He has no choice, but to listen to the voice of reason now. Otherwise, we will meet in the courts.”
Taking his turn, HRDC executive member, Reverend MacDonald Sembereka, alleged that the DPP-led administration hatched the idea of nationwide lockdown to justify plunder of US$373,000 which the Global Fund has given Malawi for covid-19 response.
“But we will not allow that to happen. We are watching every step you are staking that money,” warned Sembereka.
Malawi leader Peter Mutharika has announced a 21-day national lockdown as the country’s coronavirus figures surged on Monday to 16 from 12.
According to the president, the measure will initially be effective at midnight on Saturday, 18th April, 2020 and it will end on Saturday 9th May, 2020, at midnight.
He said the move was to help disrupt the rise of the coronavirus which has been rising since the first case was recorded last month.
Meanwhile, Malawi Police Inspector General Duncan Mwapasa has warned against violating the lockdown order, saying those found in breach of the decree will be dealt with according to the law.
Malawi Defence Force has also pledged its support in making sure that citizens are complying with covid-19 preventive measures.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has commended the new preventive measures against Covid 19 which President Arthur Peter Mutharika has announced, but further says there is more the government ought to do.
According to a statement which the organisation has released yesterday, the messages the government is making should be spread far and wide to reach the masses who are particularly based in the villages.
Acting Chairperson for HRDC, Gift Trapence, said government has to reduce water tariffs as one way of making sure that people observe hygiene by washing their hands regularly and also reduce the tax free band so that people are relieved of the taxes which are way higher.
Trapence has also said the special equipment that the government is putting in the hospitals in readiness for the fight against Covid 19 should also be put in the rural and hard to reach areas because there are also people looking up to the same medical assistance.
However, Minister of Information, Honorable Mark Botomani, has responded to the call by saying government is already doing everything possible to win the fight against Covid 19. He has further assured HRDC that government will consider the recommendations when it officially receives the statement.
“Government will continue to approach the right succession since it is committed. As for the measures which they have proposed, we might be waiting for their statement before we make an informed response to the same,” said Botomani.
Malawi has, so far, registered four cases of Covid 19 disease; three in Lilongwe and one in Blantyre. The disease has killed over 50 thousand people across the world.
The organisers of the ongoing today’s anti-government demonstrations says will take a legal action if the President denies to receive the petition
Briefing the media this morning at community ground in Lilongwe, the Chairperson of the organization committee Gift Trapence said, the have received permission yesterday from Court that the President must receive their petition today and failure to do so they have right to take legal action.
He said they have organised a peaceful match to demonstrate how sad Malawians are because currently many things are not moving well such as corruption, electricity and water problem among other things.
Trapence said the Match will start from Lilongwe community ground to capital hill and there in no restrictions until they deliver their petition to the President.
The demonstration are underway across the country whose main event is in the capital Lilongwe.
However, President Peter Mutharika is expected to leave this afternoon for United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in the United States of America (USA).
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-There is uncertainty if government will hold a dialogue meeting with Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) as it is yet to address some of the demands raised by the grouping.
In a statement issued by the CSO’s they demanded that government should allow the media to cover the proceedings of the meeting and also that President Peter Mutharika should be available during the meeting.
On Tuesday in an interview with representative of the CSO’s, Gift Trapence, said they have raised the demands in a move to make the meeting transparent.
Trapence said it is important for Malawians to be following each and every second of the meeting as the issues affect them.
On the presents of President Mutharika, Trapence said on a number of times when they meet government representatives they do not give answers to them as they need to report back to the president.
He said the attendance of the President will make some issues to be resolved in the meeting room as he will explain clearly to Malawians what his administration is doing.
“It is true we raised a number of demands in our letter to the government, among other issues we want President Pater Mutharika and Minister of Finance, Goodall Gondwe to be present at the meeting as some of the issues demand their answers,” Trapence said.
But Presidential advisor on Civil Society Organizations, Mavuto Bamusi, said they are looking into some of the demands raised by the CSO’s.
Bamusi was unoptimistic on the attendance by President Mutharika saying government will delegate senior government officials in the meeting.
He said media coverage can also bring chaos during the meeting.
“We have seen what the CSO’s are demanding and we are working on them, but to say the media will be allowed to cover the meeting and that the President will be in attendance of the meeting I cannot explain more,” said Bamusi.
Earlier this week government called a round table meeting with CSO’s members to discuss issues they have been asking and also to alert the CSO’s on what they are doing on the demands they raised on April 27 demos.
The meeting is expected to take place today, Wednesday in Lilongwe the office of cabinet and president.
A group of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on Saturday, demanded the immediate firing of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson, Justice Dr. Jane Ansah, and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director Lucas Kondowe , claiming the two have failed to carry out their duties.
For instance, the Executive Director of the Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP) Gift Trapence, who was among the CSOs, said his organization does not believe that the MEC chair, Ansah will manage to deliver in the 2019 general elections.
Trapence cited the MEC’s decision to cancel the June 2017 by-elections and failure to implement the proposed 50+1 system of electing president, as part of the strong evidence for Ansah to be relieved from the post of MEC chair.
According to him, most of Ansah’s decisions and actions, favour the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
The CSOs also attacked the ACB leader for being selective in dealing with corrupt suspects.
“The ACB is failing to deal with top government officials involved in corrupt practices. It is only the opposition parties that are being taken to book,” Billy Mayaya charged.
Reacting to the development, government spokesperson Nicholas Dausi, said the CSOs were influenced by the opposition parties.
Among the CSO leaders calling for the firing of the two, include Dorothy Ngoma, Robert Mkwezalamba, and Reverend MacDonald Sembereka.
Civil Society Organizations in Malawi presenting a petition to vice chair of joint parliamentary committee inquiry Kamlepo Kalua, called on the commencement of prosecution of Dr. George Chaponda and everybody else that is involved in the maize gate fraud and investigations into the cause recent fire in the minister’s office at Ministry of Agriculture, on Capitol Hill.
According to the petition from the CSOs dated 2 March 2017 and headlined “Civil Society and Concerned citizens petition to the State president on state of affairs in Malawi: We demand accountability and an end of impunity,” was received by Kamlepo Kalua, a member of the joint committee. The petition was signed by Rev. Mac Donald Sembereka, Billy Mayaya and Gift Trapence; and requests the prosecution of Chaponda over his complicity in the Zambia maize procurement.
Chaponda has was fired as Agriculture minister after pressure from CSOs and opposition party.
The CSOs state this will eliminate corruption in government machinery. The CSO through the petition numerous actions; among them are namely avoiding politicizing operations of governance institutions, inquiry on treatment of human rights defenders, and addressing persistent water shortages and electricity blackouts.
The CSOs accused the DPP government of telling lies and politicizing the governance institutions such as the country’s Anti- Corruption Bureau, the Director of Public Prosecution, the Accountant General, the Auditor General, and the National Intelligence Bureau to name but a few
“We in Civil society are deeply concerned about the growing politicization of the governance institutions in Malawi. It is now an open secret that these governance institutions have become a governance curse, due to government’s inordinate interference in their operations”, reads the petition
It adds: “The professional childishness of these institutions, especially in the wake of the recent audit report, bespeaks of the unnecessary political arm-twisting that is at play. This is a huge disservice to tax-payers who fund these institutions”
Receiving the petition, Kalua said it is a shame that heads of these institutions are at times behaving like ruling party spokespersons when in actual sense they are supposed to be accountable and answerable to Malawians.
Kalua therefore, expressed confidence that all corpulent will be brought to book soon as they are working daily to fight corruption in Malawi.
The new appointed Malawi Information Minister Nicholas Dausi on Sunday rubbished the Center for Development of the People (CEDEP) executive director Gift Trapence’s Christmas message against the
Dausi: ‘kills’ CEDEP’s Christmas message against APM
country’s President Peter Mutharika while demanding the vocal activist to apologize.
On Saturday, Trapence described this year’s Christmas as dark, dull and painful in the history of the country’s democratic era.
He said this is because of the high cost of living caused by inflation, persistent water shortages, erratic electricity, critical food shortages and high level of corruption under the Peter Mutharika’s administration.
“The socio-economic challenges are just too many for Malawians to enjoy and celebrate Christmas,” reads part of CEDEP statement.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader Dr. Lazarus Chakwera shares CEDEP’s sentiments as he too is widely reported to have said that Mutharika has failed Malawians.
Trapence: 2016 Christmas dark, dull and painful
However, Dausi, a former National Intelligence Services (NIS) boss, described Trapence’s remarks as an insult to the number one citizen. He said the hunger problem that the country is facing is not because of Mutharika but the climate change which resulted in poor harvests.
“That is a big insult to the country’s President and as government we ask Trapence to apologize,” said Dausi.
“About the water and electricity problems, the President has come up with different measures of which every Malawian is aware of,” he added.
Dausi tipped the vocal activist Trapence to start coming up with the solutions to the problems rocking the country than just attacking government.
In a related development, some senior traditional leaders in the central region of the country asked the MCP President to stop calling Mutharika a failure while demanding him to apologize saying the statement was an insult.
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