The Lilongwe City Council (LCC) on Tuesday withheld planned vigils by the βterroristβ group the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) which were scheduled to take place today Wednesday at New Parliament building in Lilongwe.
The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) sponsored ‘terror’ group HRDC wanted to hold vigils at Parliament to force Members of Parliament to pass the electoral reforms bills.
According to a letter signed by LCC Chief Executive Officer, John Chome, the grouping did not meet the required 48 hour notice period.
βNotification is less than 48 hours and the vigil has not been authorized by the speaker of parliament per sections 96 and 103 of the police act,β said Chome in a letter addressed to HRDC
On Tuesday, Parliament suspended for some minutes after HRDC leaders Timothy Mtambo and Gift Trapence walked in walked in the August house.
Deputy leader of the house Martha Chanjo Mhone moved a motion to suspend the house for the business committee to meet as they felt threatened by the HRDC crew.