By Maneno Chimulala
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has condemned attacks and terror activities allegedly being perpetrated by Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and its agents targeting supporters of the ruling party in central region.
According to the press statement released on Sunday, signed by DPP’s Secretary General Griezeldar Jeffery, the attacks are targeting DPP governors and DPP leaders in various villages across Lilongwe and Dedza.
“These sad events, recent attacks and terror activities, are targeting our DPP governors and DPP leaders in various villages across Lilongwe and Dedza. We have received reports that DPP supporters are living in fear and some have abandoned their homes, they have fled their villages, and are currently in hiding.
“We have also received sad reports where groups of people that were holding meetings over MEDF loans were attacked and dispersed by the MCP and its hooligans. Some of these innocent people who were discussing MEDF loans are Malawians from the villages that are in the vicinity of MCP leader Lazarus Chakwera’s constituency in Lilongwe rural. They are innocent women, youths and men who were in search for economic empowerment to improve their lives and alleviate their poverty through the loans,” the statement reads in part.
The statement further calls Malawians of good will to rise and protect constitutional democracy which MCP wants to demolish.
“We note with sadness that the MCP has not changed. We in the DPP hereby and urgently call upon all Malawians of goodwill to rise and protect our constitutional democracy. The MCP has not transformed. Our nation has been infiltrated with actors that are masquerading as democratic actors yet they are bent on demolishing the very foundations on which our hard worn democracy was built. The MCP is on the forefront leading this crusade of terror,” the statement further reads.
However, the party has assured all its supporters in the Central Region and in all regions of Malawi that special measures have been put in place to protect them.
“We have put in place special measures, which we will not reveal the details here for obvious reasons. These measures are designed to ensure your safety. We have already linked up with law enforcement agencies to bring to book all the perpetrators of this violence, and we look forward to the arrests of these evil minded persons,” it reads.
There has been political tension in the country since the Malawi Electoral Commission announced Peter Mutharika as winner of the 2019 presidential election, a victory which was challenged in court and consequently annulled.
MCP and UTM supporters led by the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) have been holding demonstrations which always turned violent demanding the resignation of embattled MEC chairperson Jane Ansah.
Malawians are expected to have fresh presidential elections on July 2, 2020.
