Lilongwe City Council Says No Vigils at Kamuzu Palace; ‘It is a protected area’

Lilongwe City Council (LCC) has blocked Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) from holding vigils in the capital and subsequently presents a petition at the gate of President Peter Mutharika official resident, Kamuzu Palace.

In a statement seen by Faceofmalawi reporter, Chief Executive officer for LCC John Chome said HRDC could not hold vigils at the state residence as it is a protected area.

“Kamuzu palace is a state residence and therefore a protected area. The council would not allow you to demonstrate to the state residences in violation of section 103 of the police act,” reads part of the statement.

HRDC planned to hold protests in all the state residences across the country as the move calling for Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Jane Ansah for allegedly mismanaging May 21 tripartite elections.

However, Ansah has refused to step down saying she is waiting for the court to rule if indeed the elections had anomalies.