Mbadwa Zokhudzidwa rejects planned HRDC, Malawi First demonstrations

Mbadwa Zokhudzidwa has opposed planned demonstrations by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) and Malawi First, urging the two organisations to engage government through dialogue rather than street protests.

Speaking during a press briefing in Lilongwe on Tuesday, Mbadwa Zokhudzidwa member Billy Malata accused the organisations of pursuing personal interests under the pretext of fighting for solutions to challenges facing ordinary Malawians.

Malata warned that demonstrations could disrupt economic activities, damage businesses and property, cause injuries and potentially result in loss of lives.

He argued that dialogue and constructive engagement with government would offer a more effective way of addressing the country’s persistent economic and social challenges.

HRDC has announced plans for nationwide demonstrations on November 17, 2026, over persistent fuel shortages and what it describes as government’s failure to resolve the crisis.

Malawi First, meanwhile, has threatened demonstrations after giving government seven days to respond to concerns over shortages of fuel, water, electricity and foreign exchange.

Malata also questioned the credibility of some activists who participated in the 2019–2020 demonstrations, alleging that certain individuals later benefited from ministerial appointments, diplomatic positions and business opportunities, including contracts linked to the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MAREP) through ESCOM.

“Over the past years, Malawians have witnessed people organising demonstrations in the name of fighting for the poor, yet they were pursuing personal interests,” Malata said.

He argued that ordinary citizens were often left to bear the consequences of demonstrations while some organisers allegedly benefited from the political and economic outcomes.

Malata therefore urged Malawians to critically examine the motives of those mobilising protests, questioning whether the planned demonstrations would genuinely address the concerns affecting the population.

He further maintained that demonstrations alone could not resolve the country’s economic and service delivery challenges, calling on citizens to obtain information from media organisations registered with the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) and avoid relying on unverified social media reports.

He also expressed concern over misinformation circulating on social media, including claims about the President’s health, saying such reports could undermine public confidence and create unnecessary uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Mbadwa Zokhudzidwa legal adviser Thokozani Tembo said the organisation wanted national affairs to be conducted in an orderly manner and in accordance with the law.

However, Tembo acknowledged that citizens have constitutional rights, including the right to demonstrate, which must be respected.