Civil Society gives 60-day ultimatum on MSB sale
Members of various civil society organisations (CSOs) have given government a 60-day ultimatum to reverse its decision to sell Malawi Savings Bank (MSB), saying the move is aimed at settling debts of “greedy politicians and businessmen.”
The ultimatum is stated in a petition the CSOs, led by human rights activist Billy Mayaya, presented to Parliament yesterday, barely a fortnight after the High Court in Blantyre gave government a go-ahead to sell the bank.
The petitioners, led by human rights activist, Billy Mayaya, advised government to recapitalise the bank instead of selling it.
The CSOs also called on government, which recently unveiled plans to issue K6 billion promissory notes to clear the bank’s toxic assets, to, instead, seize assets of businesses and individuals who owe billions to the bank.
“We demand that the National Assembly debates and approves the re-capitalisation of MSB to the tune of K5 billion so that it continues to operate,” said Mayaya, who delivered the petition to the chairperson of the Budget and Finance Committee, Ryno Chiphiko, amid chanting by members of the CSOs.
When Weekend Nation arrived at Parliament, there was heavy presence of police who outnumbered the demonstrators who were clad in red and black attire.
Chiphiko said his committee will ensure that the grievances presented in the petition are heard in Parliament.
“As members of Parliament, we have also taken government to task on the same; we even presented a report in Parliament on how transparent we want all this to be,” he said.
The petition, addressed to the Minister to Finance, Goodall Gondwe, and copied to Secretary to Treasury and Speaker of Parliament, Richard Msowoya, says the CSOs will hold vigils at Parliament and all MSB branches across the country if government does not comply with the demand.
A similar petition was also delivered as Civic Centre where spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, Nations Msowoya, received it on behalf of Gondwe.
The demonstrations were also attended by representatives from Centre for the Development of People, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation and Youth and Children Rights Shield.
