By Vincent Gunde

President of Chilungamo Party Comrade Alhaji Imraan Jumbe, says the struggle for freedom and democracy was hard-fought by the country’s ancestors saying Malawians will honor their legacy by safeguarding these liberties declaring either to be intimidated or silenced for expressing their views.

Alhaji Jumbe says time for change is now, the citizens of Malawi will no longer accept intimidation or the erosion of their freedoms saying the country’s ancestors fought valiantly for the freedoms the people are enjoying today.

He says it is the duty of each and everyone to protect these rights and ensure that their voices are heard without fear of retribution reminding Malawians that during the country’s fight for independence and democratic governance, it was the MCP that resisted granting Malawians the freedoms they are cherishing today.

Writing in open letter to the MCP to uphold their rights to free speech and transparent governance, Alhaji Jumbe says MCP has a history of being an enemy of democracy but the world has changed, the Malawi of yesterday is not the Malawi of today, people will speak their minds and defend their rights against any attempt to revert to past oppression.

Alhaji Jumbe has demanded transparency and integrity investigation team purportedly independent but overseen by the MCP, is wholly unacceptable insisting the establishment of three separate independent investigative bodies that of Dr. Saulosi Chilima’s family, the UTM and government own investigation team.

“While the government can and should conduct its investigation, these teams’ findings must be considered alongside those of other independent bodies,” reads part of the open letter.

He has made it clear that Malawians will categorically reject any findings from so-called independent teams that are influenced or controlled by the MCP only through multiple independent investigations saying the country can achieve a transparent and trustworthy account of the events leading to the Vice President’s tragic death.

Alhaji Jumbe says funding for these investigations should come from taxpayers’ money to ensuring that the teams have the necessary resources to perform their duties without impediment assuring all that this is not merely a demand for transparency but a call for justice and accountability principles at the heart of any functioning democracy.

He has finally prayed that together, Malawians will uphold the democratic values that define their nation and secure a future where freedom and justice prevail for all Malawians.