The July 20 2011 memorial in Mzuzu yesterday turned into a platform where the clergy censured politicians for advancing a selfish agenda and for being corrupt.
From the speeches, to sermons and prayers, the message was clear that development has stagnated in the country because politicians only use people to get into power.
The event was organised to remember 20 people that police shot dead during protests on July 20 2011 against several governance issues during the reign of late Bingu wa Mutharika.
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Mzuzu chairperson Edward Kantuseya opened the Pandora box. He said the people who died in 2011 were fighting for a just cause.
“The power to govern comes from the people of Malawi. We vote for a government based on their manifesto. Any government has to be listening. But we are dismayed that government continues to intimidate journalists, men of God and suppress CSOs, “he lamented.
Kantuseya claimed that government contracts are awarded to a selected few, warning there could be a repeat of the July 20 2011 events because people are fed up.
Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP) Livingstonia Synod, deputy general secretary the Reverend Isaiah Mhone, who spoke on behalf of the clergy, said politicians should stop using the youth for violence.
Said Mhone: “Give people a chance to speak their minds, don’t stop them. Look at the families here, they are suffering because of the decision by the government to stop people from telling them that they were suffering and needed change.”
The event reached its climax when Reverend Associate Professor Timothy Nyasulu rose to preach from 2 Chronicles 7:14. He said politicians, both in government and opposition, are full of lies, selfish and corrupt.
Nyasulu, who is vice-chancellor of University of Livingstonia, said while the 20 died openly in 2011, there are many people who have died since then at the hand of politicians.
Mercy Mbezuma Mfune, who spoke on behalf of the families, said they are looking forward to meeting Chakwera to tell him about their suffering and request for financial start-ups.
Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government, Culture and National Unity Richard Chimwendo Banda has said the memorial should serve as a reminder of what bad governance can do.
The memorial was held under the theme: Towards healing and closure.
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