Police yesterday detained 23 people suspected of plotting to disrupt a vigil Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (Cdedi) staged in Lilongwe to demand accountability on a botched K750 million fertiliser deal.
The 23, who were led by an activist identified as Agape Khombe, filled a Mazda Bongo registration CP1709 which police, working on a tip-off from Cdedi executive director Sylvester Namiwa, intercepted.
Assistant Superintendent Ashani Dzanjalimodzi, who led the team at the site, said the 23 were taken to Lingadzi Police Station for further questioning on what they wanted to do at Capital Hill.
He said: “We have since referred them to Lingadzi Police Station for further investigations on what they were up to because they had failed to provide convincing answers when we stopped them here.”
Dzanjalimodzi said police officers were present in the area to ensure that everyone, including the protesters, were safe during the demonstrations.
Lingadzi Police spokesperson Salome Zgambo said the leaders of the group had their statements taken after which the 23 were released.
She said: “It was established that the people were tricked and didn’t know where they were going so they were released while the leaders had their statements taken.”
In an interview, Namiwa said he received a tip-off from well-wishers that two buses full of people were enroute to Capital Hill to disrupt the demonstrations and create a bad name for Cdedi.
He said: “We decided that we needed to inform the police about this information and true to the information, a few minutes later the 23 people were stopped by the police. We applaud the police for their good work.”
Namiwa said they were holding the vigil to force Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda to produce evidence on the recovery of K750 million meant for procuring Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) fertiliser through a United Kingdom butcher Barkaart Foods.
He said the AG committed to recover the money for Malawians or resign.
“All we are asking is that the AG must either produce evidence that the money was recovered or he must honourably resign as per his word, because there is no point now trying to make people believe that the transaction was normal,” Namiwa said.
In a separate interview, the AG said Cdedi was free to hold a vigil because it is a constitutional right.
Nyirenda said he updated Cdedi on the status of the matter.
He said: “They have chosen not to understand. By the way, there are many other people who seem to have understood my explanation and only these seem not to be in agreement. So, there is no way one can please everyone at the same time.”
In a letter dated May 18 2023, addressed to the Lilongwe District Council, the AG asked Cdedi for patience as the recovery process would take time, adding there are strides being taken in the recovery process.
Reads the letter in part: “Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi has recovered $181 250. The amount that is yet to be recovered is EUR516 975 which is now subject of the court proceedings in Munich, Germany. I would be willing to meet the representatives of Cdedi on Friday if they need further clarification on the matter.”
The Friday meeting ended in deadlock after Cdedi did not buy the AG’s explanation and resorted to proceed with the vigil.
The demonstrations started peacefully at the main entrance of Capital Hill yesterday morning, until around noon when a bit of drama came in following the arrest of the 23.
By 1:30pm, the calm had returned and the demonstrators had returned to their positions with placards bearing various messages.
The demonstrations started in the morning as the offices were opening at Capital Hill and closed around 2pm in the afternoon.
Namiwa said they will continue camping at the Capital Hill until their demand is met.
One of the demonstrators, Zainab Hassan, said they will not relent until they see an outcome of these demonstrations.
Messages on the placards carried by the protesters included ‘Let presidential immunity fall’, ‘Achinyamata akudikira ntchito zawo’, ‘End corruption now’, ‘a Malawi tikuvutika katundu wakwera mtengo‘ and ‘Is Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda a liar?’
