Cama to stage demos in May

The Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) says it is organising another round of demonstrations in the next two weeks because government has ignored issues raised in the petition for the January 17 protests.

Cama executive director John Kapito on Saturday said he had just returned to Malawi’s commercial city of Blantyre from Mzuzu where people are also planning to participate in the demonstrations.

“There will be several activities in the second week of May. We know this government is not a listening one, but we will demonstrate anyway to express ourselves. The Southern Region is also planning activities,” he said.

In the January 17 petition, Cama asked government to stop the floatation of the kwacha, reduce the size of the presidential convoy and minimise the presidency’s internal and external travel.

The organisation also called on Malawi President Joyce Banda to declare her assets, reduce Cabinet and sell the Mercedes Benz vehicles used by ministers.

‘No more negotiations’

Cama Central Region coordinator Hebrews Misomali told Nation on Sunday on Wednesday that the consumer advocacy organisation will not engage in negotiations with government on the issue.

“We will take to the streets every day until government knows that people are suffering…We don’t want negotiations anymore because we have done that already.

The government is not responsible, the presidency is enriching itself and not minding its people and it is time they were reminded of their responsibility,” charged Misomali.

In a statement prepared to be flighted in the media dated April 9 2013, signed by Misomali and Kapito, Cama called on government to set up a commission of inquiry to establish, among other things, “why the country was denied the supply of maize when we had huge stocks of maize rotting in the silos….”

The statement also queries where the President gets the maize she distributes.

“Consumers have resolved that they will carry out a number of civil actions to ensure that government takes these issues seriously and respond to them in a responsible manner. Some of the activities to be carried out throughout the country will include vigils, consumer boycotts, civil and political protests, street marches and many more,” reads part of the statement.

Malawi’s Minister of Information and Civic Education Moses Kunkuyu on Saturday said people are the best judges of government’s performance.

“Allow us, government, to work and let the people be the judges. That will be my response,” said Kunkuyu.