Tag Archives: HRCC board chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba

Politics

HRCC lauds Mutharika for keeping promise on Chihana’s 2nd Veep Post

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil rights group under the banner Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) has commended President Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) for keeping promise by appointing Enock Kamzingeni Chihana as Malawi’s Second Vice president saying the act is in line with the law.

In an interview with The Maravi on Monday, HRCC Board Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba criticized some of the society including IMF and world bank for contributing towards Chihana’s swearing-in delays while raising concerns given the economic situation of the country.

But Mkwezalamba stated that “As a sovereign state, we are within our mandate to practice what our law allows us to do otherwise these bodies should have first supported the removal of the provision in our constitution so that it should not be utilized”.

“While people may be right to raise the financial implication of the decision, we need to realise that it is provided for in the constitution and that it’s being implemented for the common good”.

He added, “Having been promised a lean cabinet it means the Office of the President has to work diligently hence two vice Presidents and a Minister of State compliments that strength.

“On the other hand the north came out in large numbers to register and they did vote, without promoting regionalism, it may be obvious majority voted DPP because it had not hidden the fact that it had partnered with AFORD, the region has been longing for recognition and one wouldn’t blame them of they found favour in this partnership, as such we have a responsibility and duty to honour their choices and decisions.?”

Mkwezalamba says further, “This why as HRCC, in the spirit of promoting peace, unity and equal representation in matters of state, salutes APM for keeping the campaign promise of getting Aford in government.

“It is one thing to make commitments or promises and another to keep them, hence we need to commend APM for this”.

Mkwezalamba assures, “Our role and duty as CSOs and citizens as well as the international organisations is to monitor the roles and responsibilities that will be assigned to the 2nd Vice President and see if they are working for Malawians.

“If no progress is made, we will get back to APM to scrap the position as he is the only one mandated to appoint or un-appoint anyone to that position”.

He therefore called on Chihana to help APM work and deliver for the people, “While he is the direct beneficiary of the position, it is important to recognize that his appointment is on behalf of his people and in respect of sound democracy governance.

“We applaud Chihana for taking a gamble in withdrawing his candidature as president which indirectly saved resources for MEC and the country given the multitude presidential candidates we had”.

Mkwezalamba observes, “Chihana tdeserves appreciation for being responsible and more importantly leading afford to all elections with great vigor and energy since the denise of his father.

“Chihana has promoted the democratic space and it’s time for him to now deliver as 2nd vice President”.

He however cautioned APM to strongly monitor Chihana and youthful Minister of State Alfred Gangata, “To ensure sanity and that they are not overshadowing the 1st Vice President, because they are all in the same office of President”

“I’ve interacted with Chihana and Gangata as they are proven to be fit for these post to deliver.They need to be checked to ensure that there is sanity in the office of the President.

He added, “This ensuring that the First Vice President Jane Ansah does her job with minimal influence or interference from Chihana and Gangata.

“Their job descriptions should be laid down clearly! Otherwise we remain ready and committed to support and work with them to deliver for the people of Malawi”.

Mutharika is yet to appoint other cabinet ministers including Education, Health, Local Government, Youth and Sports, Natural Resources and Climate, Gender, Homeland Security, Lands, Mines and Energy.

Human Rights, Law and order

Suspected MCP panga wielding zealots disrupt opposition parties demos in Lilongwe

MaraviPost

.…HRCC asked police to arrest the thugs

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Suspected Malawi Congress Party (MCP) panga wielding thugs on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 disrupted disrupted peaceful organized opposition party’ demonstration and vigils in Lilongwe.

The opposition parties planned demonstrations aimed at forcing Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) leadership to resign as are being suspected allegeous to Malawi Congress Party (MCP).

However, the opposition parties including Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), UTM, Alliance For Democracy (AFORD) and others went ahead with demos despite Lilongwe District Commissioner Dr. Lawford Palani on Tuesday asked them to reschedule the dates for the demonstration and vigils.

Palani argued that Malawi Police Service could not provide adequate security as they were engaged with equally important activities.

On Wednesday morning, a contingent of police officers arrived earlier than 06;00 hours and were in their strategic positions to make sure that the demonstration should not take place.

Eventually, suspected MCP thugs were at the place carrying in their hands brand new pangas.

The police which were reported that they were busy with other equally important activities were there firing teargas into the air to disperse those that were prepared to start the demonstrations at the Lilongwe Community Centre ground.

But MCP Publicist Dr Jessie Kabwila disputed the claims arguing that the governing party could not send members to disrupt demos.

Dr. Kabwila therefore demanded evidence if indeed those panga wielding individuals were MCP members.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) Robert Mkwezalamba urged Malawi Police Service to arrest panga wielding thugs arguing that the law bars such acts.

Politics

HRCC urges MCP to uphold court decision on new aspirants’ interests

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil rights group under the banner Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) has urged Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to uphold High Court decision of allowing new members to contest for various positions during this year August 8, elective convention.

HRCC says is are deeply concerned by recent developments within MCP that starkly illustrate a lack of intra-party democracy and a troubling disregard for the rule of law.

Addressing the news conference on Tuesday afternoon, August 6, the grouping has therefore party President Lazarus Chakwera to intervene immediately to ensure that the party respects the court ruling and publicly affirm that all aspirants, including Eng. Mumba, will be allowed to contest if they choose to do so.

HRCC chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba observes “The judgment clearly states that these criteria, which required candidates to have been party members for at least two years and to have held office within the party, are inconsistent with the rights of party members as enshrined in the MCP Constitution and contravene Section 40 of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi”

Mkwezalamba adds, “The party must create a level playing field by allowing all aspirants to contest in the upcoming convention, in alignment with intra-party democracy and the rule of law.

“The MCP must retract any statements or actions that suggested a disregard for the court’s decision and publicly affirm their respect for the country’s laws and
judicial authority”.

He observes, “The integrity of the party and our democratic processes must be upheld.In conclusion, we remain steadfast in our commitment to defending the rule of law, upholding justice, and protecting the dignity of our leaders and judiciary”.

Mkwezalamba appeals, “We call for immediate remedial action from the MCP to rectify this situation and to foster an environment of mutual respect and cooperation within our democratic framework”.

During the press conference on Tuesday morning MCP publicist Ezekiel Ching’oma challenged the court decision arguing that the party will go ahead with NEC decision by baring new party members not to contest on various positions.

Development, Law and order

Malawi human right body backs legal challenge on lawmakers, councilors seats nullification

Maravi Post Reporter
HRCC board chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba backs legal challenge on lawmakers, councilors seats nullification

By Esther Banda

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-One of the country’s human rights body, Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) on Monday, April 20, 2020 endorsed the call for nullification of May 21, 2019’s local government and Parliamentary elections arguing that the rule of justice must be followed.

This is to complement February 3, 2020′ Constitutional Court nullification of the May 21, 2019 presidential polls.

Consequently, concerned citizens by Frank Kuyokwa went to Court demanding nullification of Parliamentary and Local Government polls.

HRCC board chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba agrees who have taken the matter further to the court.

Mkwezalamba told the news conference in the capital Lilongwe that current lawmakers and councilors must face the same fate presidential candidates faced.

“We are happy that the Citizens came together and agreed to pursue this matter. Therefore a matter of truth and Justice that whoever benefited from the use of Tippex should face the same Fate Presidential Candidate faced.

“We are calling upon Malawians to support them because there are challenges to do with individuals that are part of the process, others are looking at them as trying to bring confusion in the country,” he said.

Mkwezalamba added; “If the Member of Parliament (MP)s and Councilors benefited from the same Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) which is incompetence its therefore obviously that the rest of the results should be nullified”.

“Therefore MEC Chairperson Justice Dr Jane Ansah including commissioners and the staff should step down from their positions because they are no longer trusted to handle the next election slated for July 2, 2020”.