CSOs threaten to take government to court

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Timothy Mtambo

Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has warned that it is contemplating on taking government to court after the latter seems to have failed to fire from the civil service Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members who are practicing partisan politics.

Leader of the coalition, Timothy Mtambo, who is also Executive Director for Centre for Human Rights for Rehabilitation, last week asked the government to fire DPP members who are into active politics including Attorney General Charles Mhango, Hebrews Misomali of Safe Motherhood Initiative and Mary Kainja, the Public Events Manager.

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Government, however, has not acted on the request.

“Right now we are in discussions with our legal counsel to make sure that we seek court interventions on this issue. We want the court to interpret whether what has been happening is in line with the law,” said Mtambo.

He further criticized selective justice that was exercised by firing from the civil service Callista Mutharika, George Saonda and Chiza Mbekeani for allegedly being involved in politics as members of the United Transformation Movement which is being led by Vice President Saulos Chilima.

Callista Mutharika was sacked as presidential adviser on safe motherhood while Saonda and Mbekeani were working as director of administration in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and deputy director of administration in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs respectively.

Commenting on the matter, government spokesperson Nicholas Dausi has challenged the coalition to go ahead with their plan.

“They have been taking us to court. Let them go; otherwise, let us wait and see,” said Dausi.

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