Business and education activities have today been disrupted in parts of Lilongwe following tear gas deployment by police to disperse protestors.

It is reported that Police have used tear gas in various locations to scatter demonstrators protesting the ongoing fuel shortage crisis leaving pupils under the age of 5 -10 were hear crying after being affected with gas.

Although calm has returned to areas around the Lilongwe Community Ground, clashes have now shifted towards the Biwi area as police continue their efforts to restore order.

A group of more than 60 South African frustrated protesters got naked while camping outside the Department of Health in Johannesburg Yesterday on Tuesday 16 April 2024.

In Videos which are trending on social media, are showing women getting undressed outside the DHJ office to express their anger.

Secretary General for South African Cleaners and Allied Workers Union (Sacsaawu) Andries Potsane has identified the protesters as former private security officers.

It is being reported that the frustrated Private Security Officers from all Hospital and Clinics around Gauteng Province have been camping outside the Department of Health Head Office from Wednesday last week demanding authorities to meet their needs.

Potsane said these officers were left jobless, and their contract of employment was terminated without reason after working for Security Service Providers since 2024.

However the videos has brought mixed reactions as people are criticizing the protesters for shaming themselves going naked instead of presenting their will in a clear manner.

Meanwhile, the protestors have promised to remain naked for the Department of Health to respond to their demands.

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Outgoing students at Malawi Institute Of Journalism (MIJ) are planning to hold demonstrations in the city of Blantyre following a delay by the institution in holding graduation ceremony.

It has been noted that the institution is currently holding three cohorts who have finished their diploma programs but not yet graduated.

The disgruntled students who confided to this publication and opted for anonymity criticized MIJ management on the matter and have since set April 30, 2024 as the day they will hold demonstrations in Blantyre to express their anger.

Meanwhile, authorities from MIJ Media training have assured the students not to go on the road for demos as the preparations are in older to hold graduation ceremony.

According to press statement signed by Executive Director for MIJ Levi Phelani PhD, plans to hold the graduation are in place and the institution is just waiting to finalize all the processes with the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).

“We are now at the stage where we are awaiting assessors to visit our institution for final evaluation, we hope that once the accreditation process concludes, we will announce the dates of graduation”, reads the statement.

The response from the Management, did not please concerned student saying it is contrary to their expectations of having graduation as they are tired of waiting for NCHE’s accreditation and tired of not having their Diploma papers in hands.

The school is currently keeping outgoing students for 2021, 22 and 23 cohort with no papers nor graduation ceremony.

Communities under Thetsa Nkhaza Network in Dowa district are marching against rising cases of gender based violence in the district.

This follows a recent incident in which three women aged between 17, 24 and 34 were raped by a 34 year old man in the district.

The march has been organized by the Girl Empowerment Network GENET through Spotlight Initiative in conjunction with department of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare in the district

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has postponed today’s demonstrations which were staged to demand the release of three Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) leaders.

In a press statement signed by MCP publicity Secretary Reverend Maurice Munthali yesterday, the decision has arrived after the party was informed that the court is due to deliver its decision on whether to grant the three activists bail today.

“The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) wishes to inform all peace-loving and law abiding Malawians and the general public that its planned demonstrations for tomorrow, Thursday, March 12, 2020 to demand the release of the leaders of Human Rights Defenders Coalition has been postponed. This is because we have been reliably informed that the court is due to deliver its decision on whether to grant the three activists bail tomorrow,” reads the statement.

The statement continued to say that they do no want to put the judiciary under pressure and also it is a sign of respect for and confidence in the judiciary.

“Therefore, out of respect for and confidence in the Judiciary as a just arbiter of such disputes, we have elected to ensure that the court is able to deliberate and deliver its decision without the cloud of demonstrations seemingly putting pressure on its bench.”

Munthali has asked the public to stay observant and alert for fresh demonstrations in case the court gives its ruling the over way round.

“We ask all Malawians to remain vigilant and alert in case making a fresh call for demonstrations becomes necessary after the court session tomorrow,”

People in Mangochi have taken to the streets demonstrating in support of government on the arrest of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) leaders.

According to the protesters, HRDC have been disturbing peace of the country.

They are marching from new round-about to Mangochi town council where they will handle their petition.

On Sunday police arrested two HRDC leaders Mac Donald Sembereka and Gift Trapence, on Tuesday afternoon HRDC chairperson Timothy Mtambo handed himself over to the police.

According to the statement on the arrest of the three, police said the arrest are in connection with press briefing the three held in Lilongwe mobilizing masses to join demonstrations slated for March 25 which are expected to seal State House.

Meanwhile the three are in police custody with chances that they might be appearing to court this afternoon.

The Human Rights Defenders Coalation (HRDC) has said its members will join the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) demonstrations on Thursday.

The HRDC planned to hold protests today, demanding the immediate release of arrested activists but the grouping has cancelled the demos to pave way for court proceedings and has endorsed the MCP demos.

Today, the Supreme Court of Appeal will start hearing the application of stay order by Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and President Peter Mutharika against Constitutional Court Judgment.

The activists who have been arrested are Chairperson Timothy Mtambo, vice chairperson Gift Trapence and member Macdonald Sembereka.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, HRDC member Luke Tembo, said they will continue demonstrating according to the law of this country.

“As HRDC we do not wake up on a certain day and start demonstrations, we follow the rule of law,” he said

Meanwhile, the arrested activists are expected to appear in court today.

Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has reversed its earlier decision to hold demonstrations today in Lilongwe in solidarity with its leaders’ arrest.

HRDC National Coordinator Luke Tembo confirmed.

According to Tembo they want to pave way for court proceedings before holding the protests.

Today the Supreme Court of Appeal will start hearing the application f the stay order by Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) and President Peter Mutharika against Constitutional Court Judgment.

Meanwhile Gift Trapence, Timothy Mtambo and Mac Donald Sembereka are still in police custody

Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) chairperson Timothy who planned to surrender himself to police this morning has been advised not to take the move as he has done nothing wrong.

This has been revealed by HRDC member, Activist Billy Mayaya who said even those that are currently in police custody did nothing wrong in planning to hold demonstrations at State House residents.

Reports reaching Face of Malawi are showing that HRDC member are holding a meeting at a secrete venue to, among others, plan nationwide demonstrations against the arrest of their colleagues last evening.

The grouping strategizing on the next cause of action following the arrest of its deputy chairperson Gift Trapence and Central region chairperson McDonald Sembereka.

HRDC coordinator Luke Tembo confirmed of the meeting.

Tembo says they are planning to hold solidarity demonstrations as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, police are still hunting for Mtambo who is currently not known where he is.

For the time being, HRDC members in Rumphi have issued a notice of demonstrations to be conducted tomorrow.

The Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN) has demanded an immediate release of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) two members Reverend Mac Donald Sembereka and Gift Trapence.

The call has been made yesterday after the two were taken into police custody barely few hours after president Peter Mutharika threatened to deal with the human rights activist if they dare to proceed with their plans to shut down state house in the next demonstrations slated for March 25.

In a press statement made available to Face of Malawi reporter, SAHRDN called on top officials in the country to guarantee safety and security of all human rights defenders in Malawi.

The Network further asked Malawi’s top authorities to respect the county’s constitution.

Meanwhile the two are in Blantyre, placed at different police stations Nyambadwe and Blantyre police stations, they were transferred from Lilongwe last night after their arrest.

According to police, the two are being kept in custody for violating section 103 of the police act.

Hunting for HRDC chairperson Timothy Mtambo is currently underway as the warrant of arrest is demanding the arrest of the three.

Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has announced plans of shutting down the State House on March 25 with an aim of forcing President Peter Mutharika to assent electoral ammendments bills which passed by parliament last month.

This has been said at a press briefing which was organized by the coalition in Lilongwe, this follows Mutharika’s disregard of their ultimatum to assent electoral amendment bills within 7 days.

According to HRDC chairperson Timothy Mtambo, Mutharika is messing with the future of Malawians hence making them angry.

Mtambo added that the demonstrations are looking forward to host at least 5 million people.

“Signing the bills is within the president’s mandate, we are requesting him to sign the bills because we are running out of time. There are less than 150 days to conduct fresh elections as ordered by the Constitutional Court,” said Mtambo.

He added that Mutharika should inspire the nation by reacting to the things that are happening in the country instead of contradicting himself.

On the fresh elections, expected to be held in May, Mtambo said they want the polls to be free and fair. He further called on Malawians to reject any form of registration by the current Malawi Electoral Commission which he said is compromised.

Mtambo also commented on the arrival of three Israeli intelligence experts who are on State House business saying the three are putting the security of this country at risk. He asked State House to clarify on the arrival of the Israelis.

Mtambo then warned cabinet ministers especially Minister of Information Mark Botomani to avoid threatening the grouping on social media saying they are not afraid of anyone.

He also asked the Malawi Police Service (MPS) to act on the Msundwe rape issue in which police officers are suspected of raping women at Msundwe.

The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has announced of their plans to force President Peter Mutharika to assent electoral bills which were passed by parliament few weeks ago.

The past weeks he August House passed three electoral bills as ordered by the Constitutional Court, which among others was to give parliament powers to appoint commissioners of the electoral Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).

Following the development, HRDC gave Mutharika a five day ultimatum to assent the bills which has now come to an end and nothing has been communicated regarding the matter.

The human rights body has however announced of holding demonstrations if Mutharika does not assent the electoral bills.

The Malawi Human Rights Defenders Coalition – HRDC has announced plans to hold demonstrations if President Peter Mutharika does not assent to the electoral bills.

HRDC has also demanded that Mutharika has to make a statement on the matter in five days.

Demonstrations that Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) have been staging since August, 2019 are said to have been blamed for damage of over 40 minibuses that commute between Lilongwe and Mchinji.

Mchinji Drivers Association has told Malawi News Agency that the commuter minibuses have had their wind screens smashed, a development which the association blames HRDC leadership for.

Authorities of Luchenza Secondary School in Thyolo District have temporarily closed the school due to what they described as bad behaviour among learners at the institution.

According to reports, for the past weeks learners have been demonstrating strange behaviour from teasing and bullying form one students, to destruction of school property as well as stealing fresh maize from nearby gardens that belong to the school and staff.

Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) chairperson Timothy Mtambo has given President Peter Mutharika 7 days to asset bills on electoral reforms passed by parliament.

On Monday, parliament passed a number of bills among others is the 50+1 policy as a way of determining a winner in presidential elections as ordered by the Constitutional Court.

Mtambo has also given Mutharika a week to appoint new Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) commissioners to handle the forthcoming presidential elections on May 19, 2020.

According to Mtambo, if their need is not met, they will mobilize 5 million Malawians to take into the streets to demonstrate to State House to force him sign the bills into law.

After nullifying the May 21, 2019 presidential elections, the Constitutional Court ordered parliament to amend the constitution on electoral reforms.

Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has put on hold the planned vigils slated for today at Parliament following the passing of electoral amendments reforms bill yesterday.

Writing on his Facebook page HRDC chairperson Timothy Mtambo said parliament has done what people demanded the to do.

According to Mtambo they still have unfinished business regarding the electoral amendments reforms bill hence putting the vigils on hold and not cancelling them.

Mtambo said they are waiting for Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to be under new team of commissioners to lead the next presidential elections and that President Peter Mutharika to sign the bills.

“We want parliament to give us new MEC commissioners we do not want Jane Ansah and her team to ever get closer to our elections,” Mtambo writes.

“Secondly we want President Mutharika to sign the bills, this must happen immediately,”

Mtambo continued by warning Mutharika that they will not let anyone delay their progress.

“Warning to Mutharika and all that we will not allow anybody to delay our progress, we will stand up without fear or favor,” writes Mtambo.

Starting from last week HRDC has been announcing to push parliamentarians to vote for the amendment of electoral reforms bill.

The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has postponed its planned vigils at parliament to Tuesday this week.

According to HRDC they have postponed the vigils that were slated for today to pave way for the legislators to continue discussing on the 51+1 bill.

However, HRDC has vowed to monitor closely the proceedings of the house.

As ordered by the court, parliament has only Monday to table the last remaining Electoral reform bill as the required 21 days elapse in the next 24 hours.

HRDC leader Timothy Mtambo said that they intend to monitor if parliament will pass the last bill.

According to Mtambo, HRDC will hold vigils at parliament Tuesday if parliament will not pass the bill.

Mtambo has since urged President Peter Mutharika to ascent to the bills, failing which, the HRDC will mobilize Malawians to demonstrate again.

Some Central Region Water board employees, are staging a sit in meant to force two managers at the company out of office.

The two, Director of technical services John Makwinda and Enerst Matawali who is Director of Finance and Administration are being accused of failing to properly run the affairs of the company.

Some of the employees who opted for anonymity, claim that the two are failing to limit their pension funds to Old Mutual and failing to provide protective wear to the workers.

The workers were seen seated outside the office with the entrance to the office closed.

However, when contacted Public Relations Officer Zefania Mitumba refused to comment on the matter saying he was not aware of the sit in that the employees were holding.