The country’s Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ben Phiri has told the people of Matindi area in Blantyre not to take part in demos which according to him “have no value to the country’s development.”

Speaking at Matindi Primary School, Phiri who toured the site where government wants to construct industrial park, said organisers of the demonstrations were only haters of President Peter Mutharika who has shown commitment to develop the country.

“There have been calls for you people to go to the streets and demonstrate against the President. Don’t listen to them; those people don’t love this country.

“Malawi is a peaceful nation and no matter the differences we may have, we are one and this is our home. Let us not allow some ill-wishing Malawians to destroy our beautiful nation,” said Phiri.

Civil society organisations under the banner of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) have been holding demonstrations calling for Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Justice Jane Ansah to resign for allegedly mismanaging the May 21 elections.

Phiri advised the community to look at positives rather than negatives which he said have no benefit to the country.

“We need to safeguard what we have. Let us be proud of the development and the visionary leader we have,” he said.