BCC Rejects HRDC Demonstrations Request

Blantyre City Council BCC has denied permission to Human Rights Defenders Coalition HRDC to hold national wide peaceful demonstrations to demand transparency and accountability.

In a letter to HRDC Chief executive officer Dr Chanza says the denial is in accordance with section 96 subsection 3 of Police Act.

Chanza says the reason is that the streets and townships of Blantyre have been duly booked for public events by other stakeholders from 18th to 24th June, 2019.

“The commissioner of police has also been informed of the council’s decision,” said Chanza

HRDC planned to hold the demonstrations to show dissatisfaction with how Malawi Electoral Commission managed 21st May tripartite elections.

UTM president Dr Saulos Chilima, MCP and Public Affairs Committee endorsed the demonstrations.

Commenting, one of the organizers of the function Rev Macdonald Sembereka accused BCC for trying to robe Malawians their democratic rights by denying them

Sembereka said “it shows that BCC succumbs to political pressure but said will not sit back and watch it cartel their rights.”

He has then advised all Malawians to exercise their democratic right with cautious in order not to turn the peaceful demonstration violent.