The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has vowed to proceed with mass protests slated for Wednesday this week aiming at expressing concerns over the state of affairs in the country.
According CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa, despite President Lazarus Chakwera demonstrating leadership in combating corruption, more needs to be done to get the country on track.
“CDED is informing all well-meaning Malawians and patriotic citizens that it will lead nationwide protests against punitive taxes, levies, interest rates, exorbitant mobile phone call charges and data and the massive plunder and theft of the Covid-19 funds.
“All these malpractices are mercilessly punishing the vulnerable and the marginalized in society, these peaceful demonstrations are scheduled to take place this Wednesday, 21st April 2021, in the cities of Lilongwe and Blantyre, and Mulanje district,” he said.
Namiwa, who briefed the media this morning in Lilongwe, also singled out the deal between State House and Crossroads Hotel and introduction of 16.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) on cooking oil as matters that need urgent intervention.
“Malawians are currently struggling to make ends meet due to among many others, the high cost of living, which is as a result of high cost of essential commodities and services such as water, electricity, cooking oil, fuel and mobile phone charges,” Namiwa said.
He added that CDEDI wrote the letters on Monday April 1, 2021 but it is only Mzuzu City Council that responded promptly by calling for a planning meeting that was held at the council chambers on April 16, 2021.
According to Namiwa, the meeting resolved to reschedule the protests due to the Vice President Saulos Chilima’s official visit to the region, a development the city authorities said would strain security agents which means the date for Mzuzu demonstrations will be announced in due course.
The petitions will be delivered at all targeted councils.
