CSOs Disowns Mayaya, Mkwezalamba On Anti-NAC Gate Involvement Claims

CSOs Disowns Mayaya, Mkwezalamba On Anti-NAC Gate Involvement Claims

Five Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the banner ‘Anti-NAC Gate’ have openly distanced themselves from two activists Mr Billy Mayaya and Mr Robert Mkwezalamba claims that they are part of CSO pressure group demanding First Lady’s Beautify Malawi Trust (BEAM) and Lhomwe cultural grouping Mulhakho Wa Lhomwe to refund money dubiously accessed from National Aids Commission (NAC).

On Tuesday 22^nd December 2014 at press conference when concerned business persons lead by Burnet Chinsinga were trying to return BEAM’s K5 Million to NAC in order to appease Anti-NAC Gate CSOs to call off their planned January 13^th 2015 National Wide Demonstrations, Human rights activists Robert Mkwezalamba of Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) and chairperson of the Right to Food Network, Billy Mayaya, availed themselves as CSO representatives.

According to communication from Anti- NAC Gate CSOs through Makhumbo Munthali a Human Rights Advocacy and Resource Mobilisation Coordinator for Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) apparently has rejected the two by saying Anti-NAC Gate CSOs had no representative at the event.

“We have learnt with great shock the recent acts of two activists Mr Billy Mayaya and Mr Robert Mkwezalamba who masqueraded as our representatives (ANTI-NACGATE CSOs representatives) at a BEAM/ DPP regime’s orchestrated “public display” of K5, 000,000.00 under the guise of “well-wishers”.  The two have never been, and are not part and parcel of this ANTI-NACGATE struggle being championed by CHRR, Cedep, MANERELA, MANET + and MHEN on behalf of aggrieved Malawians who are desperately waiting for the return of the money meant for HIV and AIDS activities.”

“As such, we would like to categorically dissociate ourselves from any act indulged by the two earlier this week, and that whatever they did was not representative of us.” Said Munthali adding “It was out of their own personal interest, -or perhaps under the influence of a “hidden big hand” to manipulate public’s opinion or trap us.”

According to the communication from Munthali says Mkwezalamba and Mayaya presence that the event was not justifiable and claim that “there is more than what can meet the eye, and it would be naïve of us to completely rule out the possibility of the two being part of the BEAM/DPP’s regime orchestrated network of cadres who are hell-bent at thwarting the public crusade aimed at coming to the bottom of NACGATE. Their actions are suspicious.”

Munthali said CSOs status quo remains that neither Mulhakho Wa Alhomwe nor BEAM trust has refunded the money, as such demonstrations to press for their refund of money remain intact, “we remain vigilant to fight to the very end till the money is returned back in the best interest of human rights for all and people living with HIV and AIDS.” 

He also said the date for the nationwide demonstrations over NACGATE and the prevailing political, economic, administrative and governance woes remains 13^th January 2015, and apart from the cities of Zomba, Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu, the demonstrations will also be staged in a selected number of districts across the country and that preparations are underway.