K500 For Political Posters
Some small scale property owners in Blantyre are demanding, at least, K500 for political posters placed in their area of business or enterprise, it has been learnt.
The development has prompted some property owners to openly advertise for their places, as one poster at Blantyre Old Town indicated Sunday morning.
One of the places where politicians are said to have paid for a place is at the Curios centre, near Malawi Savings Bank in Blantyre.
One of the curios’ sellers disclosed in an interview the posters now selling themselves at the place were paid for, and that each did cost K500 for the depicted political parties. The posters there include the faces of Bingu wa Mutharika and one for John Tembo, Malawi Congress Party’s torch bearer in the May19 polls.
All over Blantyre City- on building walls of polls, vehicle sides or plots- the dominant pictures belong to the ruling party, perhaps a posturing of financial muscle.
According to Mike Chanza, one of the people placing posters, both property owners and the people posting them were making some substantial amount of money.
“I am paid K20 for each poster I put, which has helped me a lot. Financially. I don’t mind who gives me, opposition or ruling, I just do the work and get paid,” said Chanza, as he posted one at the Cross Roads (near Blantyre Magistrates Court) in Blantyre.
AEP/ Richard Chirombo
|
