On Tuesday, Lilongwe vendors stormed Parliament to petition lawmakers on the acute shortage of forex and the skyrocketing prices of goods and services which is negatively affecting businesses.
They argued that the escalating prices of goods and services in the country has seen most business ventures struggling to survive eventually closing down.
The Tsoka Market vendors took to the streets and ended up at the National Assembly building in City Centre to compel legislators to act on prices of second hand bales and other commodities.
They chanted on their way to Parliament carrying placards and tree branches shouting Chakwera achoke! Chakwera achoke! (The President must step down)!
On arrival at the entrance, they demanded to meet Trade and Industry Minister Sosten Gwengwe to air their grievances over the ever increasing prices which have come about due to the devaluation of the Malawi Kwacha.
Gwengwe together with Local Government and rural development Minister Richard Chimwendo-Banda were forced to come out of the chamber to speak to the vendors.
Addressing the irate vendors, Gwengwe disclosed that government will provide forex to importers of essential commodities so that they import goods using the official exchange rate.
Despite giving assurances that government is looking into their issues, the vendors kept booing the two Ministers.
The crowds could not take any of their assurances and started pelting stones at the Cabinet Ministers which prompted them to run for their dear lives.
Two vehicles were seen coming to the rescue of the Ministers away from the angry crowds which was still gathered at the main entrance of the Parliament building.
Inside the chamber, Leader of the House Chimwendo-Banda requested First Deputy Speaker Madalitso Kazombo to adjourn proceedings to enable them to observe the situation outside the precints of Parliament.
However the development did not amuse opposition parliamentarians who critisised government’s handling of the matter.
Leader of the Opposition George Chaponda insisted that the issue be addressed in the House.
“We have done that in the past, some people have come in a similar manner; they have been guided there, they have taken their leaders come let’s sit down they do it, but this time they did it differently and they did not want us to be involved.
“We are part of the Parliament so they should not do things at the backside. What are they hiding? They are hiding because they’re finding the whole thing confusing. Since this government came into power in July 2020, they came through lies not saying the true things. They have continued all the time that they come here, they come with sweet talk, promises but these promises have they materialized?
“Inflation is high; forex is not there so whatever they’re saying there is just to buy peace. There’s nothing which will happen”
The protests come against a background of high cost of living which has seen prices going up on a daily basis.
