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CSO shifts to July 14 demos against Chakwera, Chilima

Human Rights Ambassadors has shifted to July 14 its demonstrations planned for tomorrow to force President Lazarus Chakwera and Vice- President Saulos Chilima to resign and call for fresh presidential vote.

Lead organiser of the protests Oliver Nakoma said in an interview their demands follow the President’s decision to suspend some top public officers due to their alleged involvement in corruption with United Kingdom-based businessperson Zuneth Sattar.

Part of the protests against rising cost of living early this year

He said Chakwera’s action and Chilima’s follow up speech last Friday insinuating that the President should be stripped of his immunity meant the whole government top brass cannot be entrusted with power.

Nakoma said: “What it means is that Chilima is already accused of corruption dealings with Sattar, so if he says the President’s immunity should be removed then it insinuates that there is a problem. If both can be arrested, what will happen? That is why we are calling for them to step aside.”

The grouping’s chairperson Kingsley Mpasu said police have since requested that the demonstrations be shifted to a later date to pave the way for the 58th Independence Anniversary Celebrations on July 6.

He said police made the request during a meeting on Monday attended by officials from Lilongwe City Council, Lilongwe District Council, police and Malawi Defence Force.

National Police deputy spokesperson Harry Namwaza said the role of the police is to provide security and protection to people and property.

He said: “Our role is to provide security, so whenever we feel that we are tightly engaged, we can always negotiate for another date for us to provide security.”

The July 14 demonstrations are expected to start from Wakawaka to High Court Lilongwe Registry via Bwalo La Njovu.

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