Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) had proposed to the government to impose a lock down in the wake of ploriferating Covid-19 cases.
In a statement signed by HRDC chairperson Gift Trapence and national coordinator Luke Tembo, the grouping argued the proposed action will be a giant step in dealing with the pandemic.
The organization has also asked the government to close schools, barely two weeks after they were opened. The organization’s statement has drawn criticism from some Malawians. People believe HRDC is contradicting itself since it challenged a lockdown which was imposed by former President Peter Mutharika last year.
In response to the criticism, Luke Tembo said they challenged Mutharika’s lockdown order because it was poorly planned.
During his reign, Mutharika imposed a lockdown without providing the citizenry with relief packages. The move led to public uproar and compelled the human rights group to challenge the matter in court.
Covid-19 situation is worsening in Malawi as more cases are being reported on daily basis. Worse still the pandemic is claiming lives at a shocking rate.
The virus has not spared public figures having claimed the lives of two cabinet ministers; Sidik Mia and Lingson Belekanyama. It has also killed veteran media personality and artist Maria Chidzanja Nkhoma among others.
