Govt rejects Cama petition on freeing up MBC

Malawi Government has rejected a petition on the conduct of public broadcaster MBC which the Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) delivered to Civic Offices in Mzuzu today (Friday). Cama marched peacefully from Mzuzu Market to City Assembly to petition Malawi President to let her government free MBC so that opposition political parties and other stakeholders have access to the station. The consumer body also called on Malawi Government to let MBC officials work professionally without any intimidation. However, when the demonstrators reached the Civic Offices, government officials denied them audience and rejected the petition. The demonstrators read out the petition and returned with the petition peacefully to their base. Isaac Gondwe, Cama coordinator for the North condemned Mzuzu City chief executive officer (CEO) Thomas Chirwa for his conduct in denying them audience. Gondwe said in a democratic state, people have a right to express their concerns and be heard and what Chirwa did was a violation of their right.

“Since there is no one to receive the petition, we will send it direct to OPC. We cannot allow people to frustrate democracy,” said Gondwe. Chirwa condemned Cama, saying he refused them permission to march and rejected the petition on the basis that the city was not conducive for the demonstration citing security reasons. In a letter to Cama, Chirwa said tempers of residents were high following the persecutions of Malawians in Tanzania and officials feared that people would take advantage of the demonstration to vent their anger. He said police would also not be able to provide adequate security as some officers were guarding the Taifa market, some were fighting street vending and others were assigned to cover Malawi Vice President Khumbo Kachali who at the time was visiting border district of Karonga.