By Falles Kamanga
Questions keep on popping up as to why once mighty Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) is always noisy and shows anger when Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Peter Mutharika are in power?
Just in six months, HRDC has carried over three press conferences plus numerous statements against Mutharika’s DPP-led government.
While the same HRDC never carried a serious press conference for the entire five years of former President Lazarus Chakwera-Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leadership despite unaccounted scandals including fuel, forex, food crisis, fertilizer scams deals, COVID-19 funds abuses.
This grouping whose members benefitted heavily from Chakwera-MCP regime only issued statements partially while ignoring serious issues affected the nation at that time.
Just today, HRDC issued 21 days altimetum to President Mutharika to fire those involved in the ongoing Amaryllis Hotel Saga probe.
When asked at to why the grouping overstretches its mandate when Mutharika and DPP are in power, HRDC chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa disputed the claims while arguing that during Chakwera-MCP era was active which is not true.
Despite Mutharika showing insightful leadership in just six months, what HRDC does is to give altimetum, threats, discontentment without basis.
On Amaryllis Hotel purchase probe, Mutharika clearly told the nation that he was in support of Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC) that his leadership will not shield anyone.
Instead of supporting Mutharika’s course, HRDC comes again giving the President 21 days to fire or suspend anyone involved the saga while the inquiry is progressing.
Is this HRDC really working for citizens’ interests or keeps on being used by opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and international organisations or specified individuals for partisan interests?
Everyone knows that the Amaryllis Hotel purchase started way back during Chakwera era, but HRDC has failed to point out those initiated the move Instead giving to altimetum to the current leadership that is showing interest to end corruption in public service.
HRDC which is now divided; with adhoc committee must rise from its fit to prove to Malawians that it does not get instructions, support, funding from MCP and other micenaries against Mutharika leadership.
When asked as to why didn’t engage Mutharika on the matter before coming to the press, Kaiyatsa said the grouping was ready to me the President.
Isn’t this hypocritical? The same grouping wants dialogue on the other hand gives altimetum without basis.
HRDC therefore must demonstrate its pure mandate of being good governance and human rights watchdog not a political grouping that hide under the banner of rights Defenders.
The grouping must put its house in order addressing internal matters before advancing human rights agenda to the public.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of the author not necessarily of The Maravi Post or Editor
