A group called Concerned Citizens has called for the resignation of President Lazarus Chakwera and Vice-President Saulos Chilima for allegedly failing to deliver.

During a press conference in Lilongwe yesterday, the civil society organisations (CSOs), led by comedian-cum-activist Bon Kalindo demanded that Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Colleen Zamba and Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda should also step down.

Kalindo (C) speaks during the press conference on Thursday

But Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu yesterday called on the CSO to prioritise dialogue when dealing with issues.

He said there could be information gaps and through dialogue CSO leaders and the public may get to understand issues.

“It is an open invitation. Dialogue is always the best way to resolve issues. Going for demonstrations will only affect the economy,” said Kunkuyu.

The CSOs comprises 15 members from Concerned Citizens Timely Voice, Human Rights Ambassadors, Social Revolution Movement, Mass Movement Revolution and Malawi Watch.

During yesterday’s briefing, Kalindo said Chakwera and Chilima have failed to lead by example in the fight against corruption.

He said Chakwera talks much on the fight against corruption with little to show for it as the country is losing a lot of resources.

Kalindo said instead of fighting corruption, Chakwera’s government has waged war against Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) director general Martha Chizuma.

He said: “Malawians have seen that fighting corruption in Malawi is an uphill task because it is being engineered right in the corridors of State House. Mr. President, you owe Malawians an explanation.”

Chakwera has also been faulted for drafting back into his Cabinet former deputy Minister of Agriculture Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima who was fired over a botched K750 million Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) fertiliser deal last October alongside then minister of Agriculture Lobin Lowe.

Kalindo wondered why a person who was fired for such a mess could be hired as a full minister.

On Nyirenda and Zamba, he alleged they are compromised and cannot be trusted with government positions.

Kalindo also faulted Nyirenda for failing to recover money that was lost in the AIP through the bogus K750 million Baarkat Foods fertiliser deal

The former UTM national youth director, also said Chilima should step down to create space for a fresh election.

He said: “We reiterate our call, Lazarus Chakwera, Saulos Klaus Chilima. Colleen Zamba and Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda to pack up and go. Malawians are tired with the games you are playing.”

Malawi Watch executive director Billy Banda also called on Chakwera, Nyirenda, Zamba and others to step down, saying they are taking Malawians for granted.

The CSO leaders said they have since organised demonstrations on March 20 2023 in all regions to demand that Chakwera, Chilima, Nyirenda and Zamba should step down.

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