Kalindo should pay for demo damages

For the last two weeks, the country witnessed the comedian-turned-politician, Bon Kalindo, mobilising a handful of people in major cities and trading centres to protest against what they call the escalating cost of living.

Unfortunately, some businesses took advantage of the realignment of the local currency to the American dollar by 44 percent to adjust the prices of goods and services with the same margin.

However, the events in Mangochi and Karonga, where government vehicles, including an ambulance, were vandalised and businesses of innocent Malawians were looted, are indefensible.

It is disconcerting that certain politicians, using Kalindo as a front, attempt to deceive the Malawian public into believing that these current protests hold a candle to those led by the Human Rights Defenders between 2019 and 2020.

In reality, the national discontent during the Gift Trapence and Timothy Mtambo protests cannot be equated with the present situation. Reasonable Malawians acknowledge that the Tonse Alliance government has grappled with various national crises, including the challenges posed by Covid-19 and tropical cyclones.

Unlike the demonstrations orchestrated by Trapence and Mtambo, which focused on the removal of Justice Jane Ansah due to her handling of the contentious presidential elections, Kalindo’s protests seem motivated by political opportunism and are sponsored by elements within the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) still nursing grievances over their electoral defeat.

It is crucial to recognise that Kalindo may be struggling with mental health issues that warrant urgent medical attention. While he takes to the streets and vocalises inflammatory rhetoric, the public needs to understand the potential underlying mental health concerns.

The recent public behaviour of Kalindo raises concerns about a potential deterioration in his mental stability. If we overlook these signs, we may find ourselves facing a situation that is beyond redemption.

While the constitution of the republic guarantees the freedom to demonstrate, it is crucial to recognise that rights come with responsibilities. For instance, who will take responsibility for repairing the damage inflicted on motor vehicles in Mangochi? Beyond government vehicles, ordinary citizens have become victims of the hooliganism displayed during Kalindo’s demonstrations.

Such impunity should not be tolerated. We cannot allow individuals to arbitrarily cause harm to innocent people, damage their property or loot their businesses on a whim.

Kalindo should be held accountable for his actions, and it is only fair that he pays for the repair of the damaged motor vehicles and other properties. This is the time for his financiers to step forward, instead of merely using a man who is increasingly becoming a laughing stock.

Any protest that fails to garner the support of the middle class, as was evident during the Trapence/Mtambo era, is inherently destined for failure. Notably, Kalindo’s demonstrations seem to attract only looters and vandals, lacking the broad-based support that characterised previous movements.

As such, these current protests may struggle to achieve meaningful impact and risk being dismissed as mere expressions of political frustration rather than genuine public concern.
While it is true that many Malawians are facing challenging circumstances, it is essential that demonstrations are not driven by political power aspirations.