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| National |
| Churches cry foul over compensation |
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by
Gedion Munthali, 24 October 2003
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14:03:06
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Churches affected by a violent protest against the secret removal from Malawi of five Muslim foreign nationals suspected of being al Qaeda agents on Thursday cried foul and accused government of not caring to compensate them months after handing over their assessments.
Evangelical Churches Association of Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera said he was surprised that, even after being assured by President Bakili Muluzi, nothing has been done at all.
“I do not know if this is a message about how government looks at our issue. They are not treating it as an urgent matter at all. I do not understand,” said Chakwera, who claimed he led a delegation of all evangelical churches in Malawi to see Muluzi on the issue.
He did not say when.
“He assured us that government would do something on it. But is strange nothing has happened four months down the road,” lamented Chakwera. “We will continue pleading that our issue should be addressed after submitting all the information to government.”
Blantyre synod general secretary Daniel Gunya said it was unfortunate government has not assisted the church on the issue “after we listed down all the things that got damaged.”
“We have made follow ups but the response is not encouraging at all,” said Gunya.
Information Minister Benard Chisale declined to comment on the matter on Thursday, saying he was away in South Africa yesterday.
Deputy Secretary to the President and Cabinet Kamphambe Nkhoma was reported “very busy” and demanded a questionnaire. Presidential Affairs Minister Ken Lipenga could not be reached.
Police said 11 people had been arrested after angry mobs in the predominantly Muslim district of Mangochi vandalised and looted the offices of the American charity organisation Save the Children USA and at least seven churches.
Director of Public Prosecutions Fahad Assani said on Thursday all the suspects were currently being prosecuted but trials are not yet concluded.
A Catholic Church vehicle was stopped in the streets and set alight, and Mangochi Diocese Bishop Allesandro Assolari, had to be protected by armed police officers.
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