Heavy police presence at PAC conference

There was heavy police presence around Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre where the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) is hosting the Sixth All-Inclusive Stakeholders Conference.

Surrounding areas of the hotel have been heavily guarded by both armed and unarmed police officers since Tuesday afternoon.

This followed reports that some rowdy youths were hired to cause mayhem during the two-day conference being held under the theme The State of Governance and Public Trust; Reclaiming Our Destiny.

Yesterday, about 10 police officers both plain-clothed and uniformed also attended the conference’s proceedings which nearly burst into chaos after some delegates demanded the resignation of President Peter Mutharika.

As tension heightened in the conference room, the law enforcers, who had camped in various spots were seen advancing to the hotel, but the event concluded without any violence.

PAC executive director Robert Phiri said the committee had requested for the services of some police officers, but the police authorities enhanced the security by deploying some more officers.

Speaking after opening the conference, PAC chairperson the Reverend Felix Chingota said the committee will stand strong in its advocacy and continue to rekindle the flames of truth, justice and peace.

“We will not fold our hands because of castigations or mudslinging from some quarters and within ourselves,” he said.