By Vincent Gunde
Limpopo FM, an online radio station, has alleged that street protests which were organized by the Concerned Citizens of Malawi-the People Power Movement (CC-PPM) to be conducted on 13th February, 2025, have been sold to the highest bidder leading to its call off.
The radio’s Nkhanga zaona Producer Comrade Mtanyiwa has alleged that organizers of the 13th February, 2025 protests met Richard Chimwendo Banda, Jessie Kabwila and Moses Kunkuyu in Lilongwe where they were given their shares to call off the protests.
Mtanyiwa has advised Malawians that the only genuine demonstrations to be conducted in Malawi are those organized by Malawi First –the People First because their organizers are not putting money first but Malawi First as per their name.
“To be an activist, one has to be a courageous person, self-sacrifice not for money but the love of the country, if you are financially hand-capped, don’t join activism,” he said.
The Concerned Citizens of Malawi’s chairperson Oliver Nakoma has been quoted in the press having said that MACRA has demonstrated open dialogue on the matter and they have given the dialogue a chance in the interest of all.
Political Analyst Burnett Munthali has been quoted in the media having said that MACRA’s decision to procure this surveillance machine is an outright violation of these rights, it is an attempt to silence the people of Malawi under the guise of regulation observing that a government that spies on its people is a government that fears them.
“When a government fears its people, it has already failed in its mandate to lead with transparency, accountability and justice,” says Munthali.
He says this surveillance machine is meant to serve only one purpose-to consolidate power in the hands of a few and ensure that dissenting voices are silenced, assuring the authorities that Malawians will not be silenced, intimidated for their country to be turned into a surveillance state.
He finally demanded MACRA to immediately abandon this procurement, Parliament to investigate this matter and hold those responsible accountable and the government to reaffirm its commitment to the constitutional rights and freedoms.
The Concerned Citizens of Malawi-the People Power Movement (CC-PPM) planned to take to the streets of Lilongwe and Mzuzu on 13th February, 2025 not to seek permission but to assert their rights of saying “NO” to surveillance machine and defending Malawi’s democracy and freedoms.
