Renowned politician and activist, who is also UTM director for youths, Bon Kalindo has responded to his party’s statement in which he is being accused of insulting his party leader Vice president Saulos Chilima and the Malawian president Lazarus Chakwera.
In an interview with The Independent Digest Bon Kalindo said: “If speaking on behalf of the suffering Malawians is a crime so be it. I will not be moved.”
“I said it from the onset that I am doing this in my individual capacity and not as a UTM party member. I am happy that their statement is in a way an acceptance that they have failed the people of Malawi.
“The two leaders in the Tonse Alliance have failed and no sane person can continue sitting down and watching as if it is business as usual,” Kalindo said.
“I have raised pertinent issues affecting the generality of Malawians and that is now being taken as an insult to the president and his deputy.
“Leadership requires honoring the promises to the people. Malawians are suffering and that is a fact. I stand with my position and this statement has made it clear that this government has failed,” he said.
“Malawians can no longer breathe and we have leaders who continue to justify unnecessary increases of basic commodities. We have leaders who have failed to address corruption even in their backyard and when we say these have to stop then we are accused of insulting the leaders.”
Kalindo also said he has heard his UTM party secretary-general speaking about the party vehicle and advised Patricia Kaliati that “the party can take back their vehicle. I have always had my vehicles so there is nothing special in driving a party vehicle.”
Several influential Malawians are planning to join hands with Bon Kalindo and match from the front in the demonstrations, one of which is scheduled for Friday in Blantyre.