Peter Mutharika courts the wrath of CSOs again!

This time around the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have fired shot at Malawi President Peter Mutharika for not showing any commitment towards the tabling of the controversial Access To Information (ATI) Bill.

The two vocal CSOs, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and the Centre for Development of People (Cedep) led by Timothy Mtambo and Git Trapence respectively say that misguided statements from the government on the bill showing how the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government is good at insulting the citizenry.

This comes hot in the heels of contradicting reports that the bill was now ready for tabling wit other media reports suggesting that the cabinet has thrown it to the bin.

Mutharika had revealed that the bill was ready for tabling in the ongoing session, in his address the opposition branded ’empty’.

As if this was anything to go by, Information Minister Jappie Mhango hinted that the bill had inconsistencies such that it would still not be taken to parliament until the said inconsistencies are ironed out prior to the final presentation in parliament.

But the two CSOs in a statement which Malawi24 has seen, argue that its is not understandable that the bill continues to be snubbed for tabling in the August House.

They say that there should not be anymore excuses on the failure by the Minister responsible to take it to Parliament for the legislators to table it as it were.

The CSOs wonder why the Malawi leader made the promise to have the bill tabled and yet has not been living to his words.

“By promising Malawians what he (Mutharika) can not deliver, as is the case with the ATI, and other numerous instances the incumbent is simply taking the citizens’ trust for granted.”

The statement has since advised the government to make sure that the current sitting of parliament tables the bill.

Commentators argue that most politicians remain by far afraid of the bill which will give a right of the access to information to all people in a way standing behind the materialization of transparency and  accountability.

Ironically, the authorities have been avoiding the let go the bomb in fear of being exposed of their dealings.

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)- Malawi Chapter has lately been condemning the pace at which the bill has been taking.