Police summons Mayaya, govt says stay-away is illegal

Malawi government has called the three-day mass stay away from work called by civil society groups as illegal and asked workers to get to work and students to be in classes.

The activists called for a stay-away from Wednesday, despite winning a court battle allowing them to hold vigils, saying they feared for their safety.

But government through Information Minister Patricia Kaliati urged people to go to working saying it will be a normal working day.

"Workers should report for their jobs while students should be in their classes because it's a normal day," Kaliati told Nyasa Timesin a telephone interview.

Mayaya: Summoned to police

She assured that security forces will be alert to provide security to everyone and deal with any perpetrators of violence.

Kaliati said the mass action is "illegal" as it may cost the economy in lost production.

Government deployed public address system vehicles in townships asking people to go to work.

The stay-away aims to force the government to make greater political and economic reforms following the July riots that shocked this normally tranquil country.

The riots were fuelled by anger over chronic fuel and foreign currency shortages, with activists blaming President Bingu wa Mutharika for failing to manage the agriculture-driven economy.

On Tuesday evening, Police in Lilongwe summoned spokesman of the activist, Billy Mayaya, soon after the civil society groups called for a stay-away mass action.

Nyasa Times 21 Sep, 2011

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Source: http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2011/09/20/police-summons-mayaya-govt-says-stay-away-is-illegal/
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