By Vincent Gunde
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has condoled with the victims of the 20th July, 2011 demonstrations with K5 million each for the loss of their loved ones after police opened fire with live bullets to force the peaceful protesters stop the demonstrations in Mzuzu.
20th July, 2011 shall live to be remembered in the country’s political history by the families of the victims who were shot dead by police officers when they were exercising their constitutional rights to demonstrate in the streets for government to listen to their grievances and concerns.
Former President the late Professor Bingu wa Mutharika ordered the police at that time to shoot to kill protesters that were holding peaceful demonstration against his government a development which destroyed the country’s good image.
Speaking during this year’s memorial service for the victims in Mzuzu, Principal Secretary for Peace and Unity Dr. Elizabeth Chindebvu-Gomani, said plans are underway by government to construct a perimeter fence around the graves of the July 20, 2011 victims.
Chindebvu-Gomani pledged government support to the families of the victims by giving them money to start income generating activities which will help them wipe out tears of their beloved ones thereby improving their lives.
Political activist Bon Kalindo has put the record straight on the victims who were shot dead by police in 2011 claiming that 20 were killed on the 20th July, in Mzuzu while the other one Lovemore Navila was gunned down by police on the 21st July, in Lilongwe.
Kalindo has asked those that are behind the 20th July, 2011 memorial service not to forget the other victim of Lilongwe that between 20th July and 21st July, a total of 21 people lost their lives when they were exercising their constitutional right to hold demonstrations.
He said it is sad that government only take those that were killed by Police in Mzuzu on 20th July, 2011 to be remembered through memorial services taking the victim of Lilongwe as not important describing this as very unfair.
The activist said the family of Navila went to police and other human rights bodies so that they are part of those considered for compensations but these two institutions have proved to have not helped them in any way.
He said the family went to the court for assistance but this again paid no dividend saying all the institutions have argued that the victim’s death happened a number of years ago and it is time out to start the case now.
“The family of Navila in Lilongwe lost their loved one Lovemore, they too, should be part of those receiving the compensation,” said Kalindo.
He has appealed to government to bring back the case of Lovemore Navila to light so that the family after moving in government offices for years with no assistance, this time around, they should be comforted as part of July, 20 and 21 killings.
