Bingu wa Mutharika says any new protests will face "the wrath of government", after 18 people were killed in two days
|||President Bingu wa Mutharika on Friday defended Malawi's police after 18 people were killed during two days of riots, and said any new protests would face “the wrath of government”.
In a speech at a police parade in the colonial era capital Zomba, Mutharika made no mention of police brutality, and accused opposition leaders and rights activists of seeking to overthrow his government.
“Any person involved in attacking, insulting or humiliating police officers will be considered doing so to myself as the president and commander of Malawi Police Service,” he said, in remarks broadcast live on state radio.
He hailed the 7,500-strong police service for their “noble contribution to the security of people and property and peace”.
He also warned protesters that if “they dare to go on the streets, they (will) meet wrath of government”.
He accused opposition leader John Tembo, Vice President Joyce Banda, and human rights activist Undule Mwakasungura of a plot “to over take my government, which flopped.”
“But they should know that this is a serious offence. So they should be prepared to face the consequences,” he said.
“What Honourable Tembo, Mwakasungura, Joyce Banda and others should know is that the souls of those who died in the riots of Wednesday, July 20, will haunt them and they will lack peace of mind,” he added.
Tembo, head of the parliamentary opposition, and Banda, expelled by Mutharika from the ruling party, did not take part in the anti-government demos and riots that left 18 dead.
Mwakasungura, who chairs the Human Rights Consultative Committee, a coalition of over 80 rights groups, organised the anti-government marches on Wednesday.
When police tried to block the protests, rioting erupted in cities across the country, with more than 275 people arrested. -
Sapa-AFP
Roberto Mancini Nuclear weapons England rugby union team Andrew Cole Iran US healthcare
No comments:
Post a Comment