Organisers of the January 17 consumers’ demonstrations in Malawi’s cities of Blantyre and Mzuzu have released routes the participants will take in the two cities.
The routes list, which has none for Lilongwe, also indicates the time the marches are scheduled to start.
In an interview on Sunday, spokesperson of the organising committee, Kingsley Mabalani, said Lilongwe is yet to come up with its schedule as the organisers were still meeting.
Mabalani said Karonga, Mangochi and Zomba, whose residents have also expressed interest to participate in the demonstrations, are yet to come up with their respective programmes.
Said Mabalani: “Initially, we wanted only to involve the three major cities, but people in Karonga, Mangochi and Zomba have also asked to be part of it.”
He said in Blantyre, the protesters will be in three groups, with one of them assembling at ITG (present day Illovo Sugar Malawi headquarters) in Limbe, the second converging on Kamuzu Stadium upper ground and the last one near Clock Tower Roundabout.
He said the ITG venue is designated for those coming from areas around Limbe; the Kamuzu Stadium one will cater for those coming from Ndirande, Nkolokosa, Chitawira and Zingwangwa townships while the Clock Tower point will be for those coming from Chirimba, Chilomoni, Mbayani, Nancholi, Manase and surrounding areas.
Mabalani said marchers from Limbe will join their colleagues at Kamuzu Stadium upper ground before linking up with those at the Clock Tower to proceed to the Blantyre District Commissioner’s (DC’s) office to present their petition.
In Mzuzu, Mabalani said the protesters will assemble at Matabwa Market and start off through Katoto Service Station, thereafter proceeding to the Clock Tower before going to the Mzuzu City Council offices.
He said in all the areas, the demonstrations will start at 8am.
Mabalani said at the moment they have engaged all relevant authorities, including the police and district councils, to ensure that the demonstrations are peaceful.
