Ramaphosa bans booze, enforces masks and announces curfew sidelines ZCID on
…'This is a fight to save every life'
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday laid down the law in emphatic style, announcing a tough raft of restrictions on civil liberties to battle Covid-19. The president said: "On the recommendation of the National Coronavirus Command Council, Cabinet has... decided that the country will remain at alert Level 3 at this time, but that we should however strengthen the enforcement of existing regulations and take certain additional measures."
These included an alcohol ban: "As we head towards the peak of infections, it is vital that we do not burden our clinics and hospitals with alcohol-related injuries that could have been avoided.
LILONGWE - DPP regional governor for the North Christopher Mzomera Ngwira has hit at MCP, accusing it of advancing tribalism as evidenced by composition of President Lazarus Chakwera first Tonse Alliance government Cabinet. But Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has trashed Ngwira’s claims, saying MCP did not have influence on the appointments, arguing that Chakwera himself has defended his selection that “he chose those people on merit to represent the country, and not regions, tricts or tribes.” Speaking during a press briefing in Mzuzu, Ngwira whose party was criticised for being nepotistic and tribalistic when it was in government, said MCP is repeating the same things that Malawians have been fighting against. “The cake is not a national cake as promised, but a cake for MCP. We are afraid that we will suffer even more under the MCP government. Instead of impressing, MCP has clearly shown that it is tribalistic,” said Ngwira. He also accused the new government of rewarding people that funded MCP. “This Cabinet is all about who contributed to the MCP campaign. I see only hands of MCP in it. I doubt if the Tonse Alliance leaders endorsed this,” he said. He added: “To make matters worse, they are now trying to suppress the media through such appointments. Some of the media houses will now be compromised because of the appointments. This is trying to silence the people. The media is the mouth-piece for the voiceless.” But in reaction to Ngwira’s claims, MCP spokesperson, the Reverend Maurice Munthali hit back at DPP as a party that promoted tribalism, “and that is why people voted it out.” “The new government is putting an end to that. Positions are being based on merit and let the people work and see their performance. The good part is that the President has emphasised that the Cabinet will be reporting to the public. Everyone will be held accountable and judged based on their performance,” said Munthali. He asked DPP to concentrate on its opposition business, and let Chakwera lead the country. – NATION.