Anti-NACGate CSOs Notify DC’s, IG, Chief Secretary On Jan 13th Demonstrations

Anti-NACGate CSOs Notify DC’s, IG, Chief Secretary On Jan 13^th Demonstrations

The Civil Society Organisations planning National wide January 13 demonstrations on the state of governance in the country and NACGATE have on Wednesday served relevant authorities with a letter of notifying them on their planned demonstrations.

The notice has also named district of Karonga and all four cities of Zomba, Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu as designated areas where the demonstrations shall take place.

The letter made available indicates that similar letters have been sent to the District Commissioners (DC) of Karonga, and cities of Lilongwe (Lilongwe district council), Zomba, Blantyre and Mzuzu. Inspector General of Police, the Chief Secretary of Government, and Station In-charge, Lilongwe Police Station have been served with copies of the letter.

A letter dated 6^th January 2015 sent to Lilongwe DCs office signed by Timothy Mtambo CHRR executive director and spokesperson for national demonstrations, endorsed by 23 civil society organizations working in various sectors is among others “notifying” the office about the planned demonstrations in line with section 96 [1] of the Police Act [2010] which requires the conveners of the demonstrations or protests to give notice of not less that forty-eight hours [48 hrs]. 

“These demonstrations are in protest of the unwarranted funding from NAC of HIV and AIDS funds to organizations that are not meant to receive such funding, and the general decay of the state of governance in Malawi.” Reads part of the contents in the letter

The letter also appeals for the security to take its rightful role on the day “We trust, Sir, that by this notice, the relevant security organs of the government will take their rightful role as provided for in the Republican Constitution, and further, in accordance with section 40 [2] [d] in respect of prevention of obstruction on occasion of public assemblies, processions or demonstrations on the public roads or streets.”

It also indicates that petition articulating pressing issues and their corresponding demands will be presented to the Chief Executive Officer.

Mtambo: Demonstrations shall be peaceful

The letter indicates that in all convening points demonstrations are expected to start at 9:00am. In Karonga, demonstrations shall start at Karonga Roundabout to the District Assembly office to deliver the petition and in the city of Mzuzu demonstrations shall start at Katoto to CIVIC offices. In Lilongwe the route is from Community Ground to CIVIC Offices, in Blantyre demonstrations will start at Upper Stadium via High Way to deliver the petition at the CIVIC Offices while in Zomba demonstrations shall start at Community Ground via Mponda Primary and direct to Zomba District Assembly to deliver the petition.

In an interview Timothy Mtambo said CSOs have chosen district of Karonga because in their prepared petition contains mining issues that are taking place in the district “there are a lot of injustice practices happening in Karonga because of Mining taking place in the district so we want people of Karonga to present their issues in their district and this is why we chose the district and nothing beyond that” he said

While warning people to refrain from starting violence as CSOs presents the petition Mtambo also assured that the demonstrations shall be peaceful. He said CSOs have also engaged with police on security issues where assurance was made by police that there shall be no intimidation on the day.

“Everything shall be peaceful, we will make sure that there is no violence and on the day we don’t want anyone to steal even a single flower” he said

CSOs have also indicated that the dressing colour during the demonstrations shall be red. Clothes/t-shirts with HIV/AIDS messages says shall also be encouraged to be worn during the day.

Detailed 13^TH JANUARY 2015 DEMONSTRATIONS ROUTES

1.       LILONGWE

·         COMMUNITY GROUND via Nchesi via Central Hospital Roundabout via Lingazi Roundabout via NAC offives via parliament then deliver the petition at the CIVIC OFFICES

2.       BLANTYRE

·         UPPER STADIUM via High Way and the deliver the petition at the CIVIC OFFICES

3.       MZUZU

·         KATOTO via Mzuzu tower via Mzuzu High Court rounderabout and then deliver a petition at CIVIC OFFICES

4.       ZOMBA

·         COMMUNITY GROUND via Mponda Primary and direct to the Zomba district assembly to deliver the petition

5.       KARONGA

·         KARONGA ROUNDABOUT the direct to Karonga DISTRICT ASSEMBLY to deliver the petition

CSOs that endorsed the letter are:

Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN)

Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR)

Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP)

Nurses Organization of Malawi

Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with HIV and AIDS

Malawi Network of People Living With HIV and AIDS

Citizens for Justice (CFJ)

Civic and Political Space (CPS)

Church and Society Programme– Livingstonia Synod (CSP-LS)

Human Rights Defenders Forum (HRDF)

Hebrews Misomali (In his capacity as a human rights defender)

Benedicto Kondowe (In his capacity as a human rights defender)

Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre 

National Elections Trust

ANPPCAN Malawi Chapter

Family Planning Association of Malawi

Local NGO Forum on HIV/AIDS

Foundation for Community Support Services

Youth and Society

Child Development and Support Organization

Centre for Youth Development

Outreach Scout Foundation

Youth Watch and Society