Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has turned down the invitation by Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Symon Vuwa Kaunda to discuss land-related issues saying all they want is the ministry to resolve the matter.

Civil society organisations (CSOs) under HRDC banner Tuesday gave government five days to reverse sale of school land, failing which the CSOs will lead Malawians to a wave of protests.

There have been revelations that Livimbo, Chimutu, New Shire, Chilambula and Magwero have been encroached on by developers in deals that are allegedly dubious.

Minister of Lands Symon Vuwa Kaunda invited HRDC to a roundtable saying he wanted the rights defenders to appreciate what the ministry is doing since the issues of sale of public land came out.

According to the letter of invitation Malawi News has seen, signed by Sosten Chinkonda, Ministry of Lands wants HRDC officials, Ministry of Education officials and the claimant of Livimbo School’s land to meet, go to the site and resolve the issues.

“We would like extend the invitation to you to witness the verification exercise of the boundaries when Surveyor General will be retracing the boundaries of the land for Livimbo School on Monday November 25, you may wish to note that the problem of encroachments on the land for public institutions is so huge and it is therefore my plea that we should work together to arrest the problem.” reads part of the letter.

However, in a separate interview, Vuwa Kaunda disclosed that his ministry has withdrawn documents relating to land in question for further scrutiny at the ministry.

According to the minister, this is to comply with HRDC’s demand.

HRDC press conference yesterday focused on the alleged sale of land in some public schools and push for the resignation of Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Jane Ansah among others.

Mtambo warned people that are allegedly plotting to infiltrate and end the grouping that they will not succeed because God will not let it happen.

HRDC has meanwhile endorsed truck drivers’ strike scheduled for November 3 2019.

The coalition has also announced new wave of anti-Jane Ansah demonstrations on December 10.

HRDC has been organising nationwide demonstrations to push for Ansah’s resignation for allegedly mismanaging May 21 Tripartite Elections which Malawi Congress Party and UTM are challenging in court.

Police in Mchinji have arrested 12 students of Magawa Secondary School for vandalising school property during Tuesday night. According to Mchinji Police the arrests were part of police interventions to restore peace at the school.

Mchinji Police spokersperson, Kaitano Lubrino said the students vandalised school property in reaction to the school’s authority move to suspend a student who had a radio in the school against school rules. The irate students petrol bombed the administration block where the head teacher’s office has been the most affected.

Early last month, students from the school took to the streets and presented a petition to Mchinji District Education Manager, where they complained over poor learning conditions at the school.

Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare has underscored the need for active political participation among young women. Director of Gender in the Ministry Mercy Safalao said this in Blantyre during a political empowerment campaign of young women in elections.

Safalao said government had realised the need to empower young women and has always committed to empower young women through various policies and programs.

“We have policies in place that are aimed at empowering young women to take an active role in politics. We want to ensure that the country achieves the 50-50- target in politics between men and women,” said Safalao.

Viwemi Chavula, who is team leader for 50-50- Campaign Management Agency said despite registering an increase in number of female members of Parlianment from 32 to 45 in 2019 and from 53 to 67 female councilors, the average number of young women in politics is below 10.

“Much as we registered an increase in number of female candidates winning on parliamentary and councilor seats in the may 21 tripartite elections, we are not satisfied with the numbers. You may wish to note that out of the women who won in may 21, only two are young women below 35 years,” said Chavula.

One of the youthful female politicians, Carol Mdala who is a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Ward Councilor for Chilaweni in Blantyre Rural East Constituency and also the chairperson for Blantyre District Council said Malawians mustchange their mindset towads women leaders in the country if the 50-50 goals are to be achived.

Mdala told MBC that the road to her success was not easy in the May 21 tripartite elections as she faced verbal insults just because she is young and female. She said if not for her confidence and courage to achieve her ambitions, she could have given up way back.

“The road to my success has been tough and challenging. I could hear my opponents despising with an intention to pull me down,” explained Mdala.

According to Mdala, there are many young women across the country who have the zeal to contribute to the country’s development through politics just like but face challenges such as lack of financial support, societal wrong perception towards young women, verbal and psychological torture.

The development prompted 50-50- Campaign Management Agency in collaboration with other stakeholders held a meeting in Blantyre to reflect on how young women performed in the may 21 elections.

The meeting brought together young women who won during the may 21 tripartite elections and those who did not make it to encourage them not to give up but rise and claim their destiny.