Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has come under fire for the conduct of some of its supporters who invaded Capital Hill in their bid to force President Peter Mutharika to step down.
Ministry of Information and Communications Technology condemned the conduct, saying it was deplorable.
The MCP action also annoyed Civil Servants Trade Union (CSTU) which condemned what it described as “the harassment” of its members whom it says were not elected.
Giving government position, director of information Gedion Munthali said the events were a criminal act and not freedom of expression.
He said: “Government has never stopped anyone from expressing themselves. Disrupting government business, harassing innocent civil servants, stoning of vehicles and breaking office equipment can never be part of freedom of expression. These are criminal acts.”
Munthali said such disruptions of government operations have the potential to negatively affect innocent Malawians through compromised service delivery.
On its part, CSTU has urged its members to continue reporting for work as normal.
In a statement issued last evening, CSTU general secretary Madalitso Njolomole said civil servants are not elected officials but they serve the government as well as all Malawians.
Reads the statement in part: “CSTU is urging all civil servants to continue with their daily responsibilities at their working place.”
Capital Hill is home to head offices of key ministries, among them Education, Finance, Agriculture and Health as well as the Office of the President and Cabinet and the Office of the Vice-President.
