Mayaya to demonstrate for ‘Apayoniya’

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Billy Mayaya

Human rights activist Billy Mayaya has disclosed that he will take to the streets of Lilongwe to force government pay former officers of the Malawi Young Pioneers (MYP).

Mayaya feels “justice” has not been done for the ex-pioneers who are yet to be paid compensation, gratuity and arrears since MYP’s abolishment.

He added that the delay to have them paid is also a violation of human rights for the MYP staff.

“Government is violating their rights, it made a promise to pay them for the work they had during one party era, but after MYP was closed government promised to pay compensation gratuity and arrears and we feel justice is not there,” said Mayaya.

The date for demonstrations is yet to be known but the demonstrators will present a petition before chief secretary to the government Lloyd Muhara.

Leader for the MYP taskforce Franco Chilemba said the delay to have them paid has left them suffering arguing they are starving as they don’t have a penny to buy food.

Earlier, government made an assurance to have the former pioneers paid before the start of the 2017/18 financial year but it failed to give them the money.

The MYP then threatened to hold vigils at Kamuzu Palace to seek President Peter Mutharika’s intervention.

MYP was a paramilitary wing during the one party era but its officers became civil servants under Ministry of Youth after Malawians voted for multiparty democracy.

The former pioneers claim that government owes them K1.6 billion.