Relief for fans
Super League of Malawi (Sulom) says following a High Court order restraining the enforcement of revised restrictions by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, fans will be allowed to watch the top-flight matches.
Some artists obtained the injunction on Thursday in Lilongwe, restraining the Attorney General, Malawi Defence Force and Malawi Police Service from enforcing the restrictions, which include restricting public gathering to a maximum of 100 people for two weeks.
The order reads: “It is ordered that the defendants be restrained from enforcing the resolutions by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 announced on the 22nd December, 2020 until an interpartes hearing on 31st December , 2020.”
Sulom president Tiya Somba-Banda yesterday said in view of that, they have to respect the court ruling.
“Kindly note that as a law abiding ‘citizen’, Sulom will comply with the court order just as we have been complying with other statutory regulations,” he said.
The league runners vice general secretary Zacharia Nyirenda also said fans are now free to watch the games unless the injunction is vacated.
“As per the court order, it means fans can be allowed to watch the games unless if there will be other developments in due course,” he said.
The development comes as a sigh of relief for the fans, albeit temporarily.
However, there is still a cloud of uncertainty on the most sought after fixture on the domestic scene, which features local football powerhouses—Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers—slated for December 2.
On whether government had plans to vacate the injunction, Minister of Information Gospel Kazako, who is also government spokesperson, yesterday said they were waiting for advice from the Attorney General.
“Once we get that advice, we will inform you accordingly, but what I can say is that we did this in good faith.
“Government has a duty to protect its people and in this case, there is a new wave [of Covid-19] which is spreading very fast. Here, we restricted gathering to 100, but in other countries it is actually zero,” he said.
The minister also said they are not in antagonism with the musicians.
“We are not taking it as a fight. They only exercised their right and we are going to comply with the order,” he said.
Concerned supporters’ spokesperson Mabvuto Chibambo yesterday said relief was his prevalent emotion when he heard about the court order.
“We are happy with the relief and as I said, the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 is just scratching on the surface in the way it is handling the issues.
“Most of the recent cases are imported, why should we suffer for government’s laxity.
