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 22nd 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 13th 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 13th 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.
