We are persuaded to accept the fact that these people (Security Intelligence Service staff) are well trained.
However, we are certain that the findings of the intelligence bureau can either make or break our country.
And this is why we urge Brigadier Ngwenya and his staff to exercise their duties diligently.
They should refrain from partisan politics.
According to our knowledge, Ngwenya's organisation must not take any
action to further interests of any political party in Malawi.
They are not politicians.
The work of intelligence services is dedicated to optimalising our most
important asset-our human resource and not victimizing the same.
Ngwenya's body is entrusted with the duty of national security in
particular against threats of espionage, terrorism and sabotage and
above all safeguarding the economic well being of Malawians.
The case of Kamuzu regime comes in as a good example.
Only John Msonthi and John Tembo are here with me now, lamented
Kamuzu Banda, former President of Malawi in Parliament in August, 1964.
This was understandable. Banda and his Ministers created the 1964
cabinet crisis and the intelligence personnel took advantage of the
situation and started misinforming Kamuzu.
There by many people became enemies of Kamuzu and the Malawi Congress Party led government.
Malawians were made to be foreigners in their own country.
People were being arrested for petty reasons during the Banda administration.
We voted for change but some one party traits are still with us.
It seems to us that Bingu is being fed some cheap information from his intelligent personnel.
The problem is that our politicians think that politics is to have
enemies. Borrow a leaf or two from Barrack Obama and McCain in the
United State of America. Do not tell us that we are Africans and that
is how we behave.
Up until when are we going to be Africans and remain stupid?
One wonders what Ngwenya's boys are doing if every story they have told
the President has hit a blank wall.. No evidence or cheap evidence.
And then you have the police slicing reporter's faces.
You have the press officer threatening people with arrests, since when
did we hear a press officer threatening people with arrests?
Aladin Osman, Chinduti Chirwa, Willie Zingani and late Prescot Gonani were all at one time press officers.
They maintained professionalism in the job.
The Timau crew is not against Chikumbutso Mtuumodzi issuing threats of
arrests but in what capacity is he issuing the same. Is he speaking on
behalf of the President or in his own capacity? Not government of cause
for the government has Patricia kaliati as its spokesperson.
When will Malawians feel free in their own country?
When will Malawians criticise their government without threats of
arrests? When will Malawians debate political issues in pubs and
tarevens without fearing police and government spies to slice their
faces?
Which leader will accept true democracy in Malawi? Which President will
grant freedom of speech to the suffering people of Malawi? All these
questions remain an answered.
Why are we persecuting one another like this? True to peoples words the
degree of persecution has changed in the Bingu administration but the
meaning of persecution remains the same.
Since 1964 to present day- Malawians have not known the meaning of freedom.
It was youth leaguers and Malawi Young Pioneers during Kamuzu days and
then came the Young Democrats during the UDF led government.
We leave for your own conclusions as to what is happening now.Â
We ask Ngwenya and his staff and all those close to the President to
give him more accurate and well researched information other than the
garbage they are putting own his table now.
Let us develop our country. Everybody has a part to play whether Humphrey Mvula or Kamlepo Kalua.
Indeed, Nyasa Times or the Guardian newspaper they all have their parts to play.
What is surprising us is the fact that when this cheap political
propaganda comes to the light of cabinet ministers, they simply sit own
it.
Godall Gondwe, Chimunthu Banda, Ken Lipenga, Dama Phoya, Joyce Banda,
including Proffersor Peter Mutharika we consider them to be the elite
of DPP and what have they to say on this misguiding information that
goes to the President.
Don't you discuss these stories which are denting your party's image at cabinet level? .
The onus is yours Mr. President!! Give us our freedom, we want to write
what we want freely, we want to debate political issues as we relax
with our bottles of beer without any threats from your spies.
On the other hand, much as we cry for our freedom, the Timau Crew does
not condone the leakage of state information to members of the press.
UDF is being accused of the same.
UDF is being accused of selling out Bingu's letter to the press. One
could fall victim of accepting this fact considering that the other
letter (Bakili's) is going out an signed.
UDF as stakeholders should champion the way forward for our democracy.
A more friendly opposition will create a friendlier national Intelligence Bureau.
We are of no doubt that Brigadier Reuben Ngwenya will revisit his
conditions of service and that is to protect the people of Malawi
without any political influence.
He ( Ngwenya) is a professional and we know he will do it.
What is the President afraid of? After all he has the Presidential flag.
It is this intelligence information that is being fed to the President
that will either make or break Malawi. The information makes the
President feel an ease when there is nothing to be worried of.
Kuwopa njoka ludzi.