October 17 2024
It was raining crocodiles and elephants at the Munda wa Chitedze Farm that day. Some farmers around the farm were complaining that the rains had come a little too soon, when they were not yet done with land preparation.
Even more, they were not even sure if they would get subsidised fertilizers and seed.
So you see, the other day I was glued to the TV watching a press conference by the Democratic Progressive Party. About six or seven officials were each taking turns to retaliate what the previous speaker had retaliated about what the initial speaker had said.
You see, the whole talk show lasted about three hours, but journalists were given only 10 minutes to ask questions.
My troubles did not end there. Just yesterday, leadership of the DPP, Alliance for Democracy and the UTM Party were also taking turns to castigate the Malawi Electoral Commission. They accused the electoral body of contracting Smartmatic for the provision of electronic polling devices.
Just like the previous ‘press’ conference, the speakers were just rumbling what the previous speaker had been saying.
One had to stand three hours of listening to the same thing over and over again. In the end, when journalists were given the time to ask questions, it was the same ‘you are asking too many questions’ hulabaloo.
Now journalists should not be abused this way. A press conference is not a political rally where a journalist has to swallow hook, line and sinker what the politicians say. Even so, where necessary journalists accost politicians to get clearer what they said on the podium.
If party leaders are not ready to face the press, they should stay at home and smell the coffee.
Like it or not, the issue of the use of national IDs in the registration process that starts on Monday cannot end by issuing threats and demands in such pressers.
This is a legal matter. It is not an emotional one. The issue cannot be resolved in public debate or emotional and inciting ‘pressers’.
By now, the opposition leaders should understand that the challenge of MEC sticking to use a proviso in the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Elections Act can only be dealt with with the argument that the electoral law is in contradiction with several sections of the Constitution.
Instead of wasting time with ‘pressers’, please sue! As there is another case in the courts on the same, please fight that it is expedited.
Which reminds me of Alexious Kamangila, esquire. The learned man has opened a can of worms showing that all is not well with Justice Kenan Manda and the way he conducts himself in making sure that justice is not merely done, but, is seen to be done.
Dear Diary, we are just watching as the events unfold.
Kamangila is known for his fighting for impoverished prisoners. I know him as one lawyer who offers pro bono services to such prisoners. As a matter of fact, he has managed to fight for the release of some prisoners who were actually on death roll!
It is no small task to get someone of the thought of being taken to the gallows some day. Kamangila has been one of those for the abolishment of the death penalty.
So, the can of worms he has opened is really necessary. It is high time the Judiciary did some soul searching. Files missing, cases taking awkwardly too long, weird rulings and so forth are the reasons Kamangila’s ‘bush’ advocacy.
Talking of bush advocacy, once the adventurer in him took him to Sapitwa on Mulanje Mountain. Most of the time, Sapitwa gives you the notion that you can conquer every obstacle!
Dear Diary, those of us at the Munda wa Chitedze Farm are planning a visit to the Registrar General’s office. We are going to register a trustee incorporated organisation: Kamangila Advocates.
The advocacy he has done so far, using the crudest of means, is far greater than what 10 NGOs in a coalition can achieve.
By the way, did I hear Timothy Mtambo right when he said he would be part of the leaders to take Malawians to the streets against MEC?
That should not bother us on the farm. We are busy as trustees of the Kamangila Advocates.
