A group of people armed with pangas and other weapons yesterday attacked civil servants who had planned a peaceful demonstration in Lilongwe to demand a higher salary increment than the 20 percent government offered.
The Government Negotiating Team (GNT) and the Civil Servants Trade Union (CSTU) agreed on the 20 percent pay rise to be effected from April 1 2025, but civil servants want at least a 44 percent salary rise.
They are also protesting a 50 percent increment for transport and special allowances, demanding instead a 200 percent increase.
The concerned civil servants converged at the National Memorial Tower at Area 18 where they planned to march to Parliament to deliver a petition.
However, a group of youth, some with their faces covered, emerged from the Botanic Gardens and attacked the civil servants, who were seen running for their dear lives with others injured in the process.
Tower at Area 18 in Lilongwe. | Jacob Nankhonya
As the commotion was happening, some police officers were seen on the ground, and more were deployed but they only arrived after the protesters fled the scene.
In an interview, one civil servant, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration with the disruption of their demonstrations.
The civil servant wondered why they were attacked when they had followed procedures required for holding protests, by obtaining permission from the Lilongwe District Council.
Said the source: “We are shocked with what has happened, considering that we were permitted to hold the demonstrations.
“Even the security officers who were supposed to protect us fled when the thugs invaded the scene. So, we have so many questions over what has happened.”
Asked on their next move, the civil servant said they still want their grievances addressed; stressing that what CSTU agreed with government is not what the civil servants had asked for.
“Life is becoming unbearable with the high cost of living. The 20 percent increase will not have impact that is why we said minimum should be 44 percent,” said the civil servant.
In an interview, CSTU secretary general Titha Gomani clarified on the increment that government offered, saying the two parties agreed on a 30 percent hike to be implemented in two phases.
She said the first phase is the 20 percent increment effective April 1, to be followed by a 10 percent boost during the mid-term budget.
Said Gomani: “We felt this was a win-win situation. We tried our best because what government offered earlier was much lower and we declined that.
“So when we went back in discussions we agreed on 30 percent. We made sure that we sign an agreement that they will implement 20 percent now and 10 percent during the mid-year budget.”
She said the union explained to the concerned civil servants on what they had agreed with government, but the civil servants made up their mind to protest.
Gomani has since distanced the CSTU from the concerned civil servants protests, but said the group has a right to demonstrate.
When contacted, Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya asked for more time before commenting on the matter.
The Lilongwe District Council gave permission for the peaceful demonstrations, but with conditions attached.
