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M1 Centre Point seeks court relief

Management of M1 Centre Point has sought court relief following the decision by Lilongwe City Council (LCC) to revoke the entertainment centre’s business licence due to unchecked noise pollution. 

On Friday, through their lawyer Powell Nkhutabasa, the management moved to obtain a court injunction against the council’s decision, but it was unsuccessful.

Zembani Band performing at M1 Centre Point recently

This forced them to cancel a live music performance by Ras Chikomeni Chirwa on Saturday.

However, speaking in an interview yesterday, Nkhutabasa said the court has set April 25 for an inter partes hearing.

“This is one of the many remedies we have engaged. We have also engaged the council for discussions because we believe the issues can be resolved through contact and dialogue. So, for now we are trying hard to give these discussions a fair chance. We are hoping and trusting that the matter will be resolved amicably,” he said.

M1 Centre Point manager  Lyson Kapito, in an interview, said they retain the faith that something positive will come up.

“It is not like we cannot operate without hosting music and boxing events here. Our business fares very well even minus the shows. But we are looking at the opportunity that the place offers in terms of live music in the city,” he said.

Kapito said if push comes to shore, they may just have to consider stopping hosting live performances, an eventuality he said will be equal to killing live music performances in Lilongwe.

LCC revoked M1 Centre Point’s business licence after management of the place failed to honour their commitment to reduce noise levels by stopping outdoor performances after 10 pm.

In a letter signed by LCC chief executive officer John Chome, it indicated that the facility will only be reissued a fresh licence once its owners abide by the council’s regulations and upon payment of the required fees.

The development has come as a blow to musicians who rely on the venue for their live shows, following the closure of Lilongwe Golf Club to live shows on similar grounds two years ago. n

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