Representatives of Malawi Government and the Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) are scheduled to meet in Lilongwe this Friday to discuss Cama’s seven-point petition presented on January 17 2013.
Both Minister of Information and Civic Education Moses Kunkuyu and Cama executive director John Kapito on Tuesday confirmed the meeting which coincidentally falls on the same day Cama’s 21-day ultimatum to government is expiring.
Said Kunkuyu: “They [Cama] have come back to us to say that we can meet on Friday. We wanted to meet them on Wednesday but they said that they are engaged on that day.”
The minister said government wants to discuss with Cama on doable options regarding the remaining issues raised in the petition.
He added that some of the issues, such as the demand for President Joyce Banda to declare her assets, depend on what the law stipulates.
However, Kapito said Cama is not meeting government to discuss the petition, but get answers to the issues raised in it. He said it is up to Malawians to discuss the responses provided.
He said the way forward on Cama’s demands will be determined after the meeting.
On January 17, Cama led a consumer protest against economic hardships resulting from policies adopted by Banda’s administration since ascending to power last April after the death of president Bingu wa Mutharika.
Besides declaration of assets, other issues raised in the Cama petition include the demand for Banda to reduce her presidential motorcade, end kwacha floatation, sell the presidential jet and cut the Cabinet size and presidential travels.
