By Eunice Disi Lole
Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza has condemned acts of violence against the elderly which has recently been on the rise in the country.
The minister made the remarks during a press briefing in Lilongwe on Tuesday.
“I am devastated and saddened, not only by the attacks and killings of the elderly that is happening in the country, but also the magnitude of the violence and the continued perpetuation of the abuses and harassment, particularly on older women,” she said.
Sendeza described the attacks on the elderly as evil and a threat to the basic human right to life for all human beings enshrined in the Republican constitution.
The minister stressed that the elderly, just like any other person, are entitled to all the rights and freedoms without any distinction of any kind and should not live in fear of losing their life because of some beliefs which some people hold against them.
Recent brutal attacks have been reported from Balaka and Dowa and the minister described the situations as disheartening in that the acts occurred in front of people who would have rescued the victims but instead chose to take videos.
Sendeza has, therefore, urged all communities and their leaders to help in the fight against any form of violence against the elderly and has warned that all perpetrators, if found, will face the law.
In an interview, Executive Director for Malawi Network of Older Persons, Andrew Kavala commended the Minister for taking a step in addressing the barbaric act and assured to join hands with various stakeholders to help create a conducive environment for the elderly.
Kavala said aging is a process of life, and all factors constant and God willingly, everyone is going to get old and as such would want to land into safe age and see that there is an enabling environment for those who are old.
Assistant Commissioner of Police and Director of Malawi Community Policing, Alex Simenti, expressed worry over the rise in cases of elderly attacks being registered at police stations despite the messages that are being spread on the protection of these persons.
He appealed to Malawians to stop the attacks saying once caught the law will take its course.
