Secretary for Treasury (ST) Betchani Tchereni has invited Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (Cdedi) to a roundtable meeting after the latter threatened to hold a vigil at his office over his recent public remarks.
According to a letter signed by Lilongwe district commissioner (DC) Lawford Palani, the ST is expected to engage Cdedi officials at Capital Hill in Lilongwe next Tuesday.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and conclude issues which Cdedi raised in its notice of the vigil dated July 24 2024 and addressed to the DC.
Cdedi issued the notice following expiry of a seven-day ultimatum given to Tchereni to withdraw what he said in a video clip that went viral two weeks ago.
In the clip, Tchereni told voters to stop threatening politicians with their vote as that was plunging the country’s economy into a quagmire, a statement Cdedi described as “insensitive and careless”.
Among others, Cdedi said in the notice the deafening silence to withdraw his sentiments and make a public apology on the same gave them reasonable grounds to believe the ST was “too arrogant to continue serving in a public office”.
But in response to Cdedi notice, Palani said he engaged Tchereni on July 24 2024 where the ST apologised for his remarks and was willing to engage Cdedi and discuss the best way forward.
But reacting to the development, Cdedi executive director Sylvester Namiwa insisted that what was contained in the DC’s response was not a public apology as per their request.
Said Namiwa: “So our message to him is simple: make a public apology or we will force you to resign… The clock is still ticking. The demand stands; a public apology or resign. Nonetheless, we are ready to meet him as per his request.”
Tchereni yesterday declined to comment on the matter.
Cdedi planned to hold the vigils under the theme ‘Executive impunity and arrogance must fall’, from August 1 2024 at Ministry of Finance offices until Tchereni apologises or resigns.
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