BLANTYRE (MaraPost)–While blood shedding violence between governing People’s Party (PP) and opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) seem to be far from over, Young Achievers for Development (YAD) and the Malawi Police Service have organised a solidarity walk to promote tolerance and co-existence among people of different political interests.
The solidarity walk will take place this Thursday from Zingwngwa Township to Chilobwe Trading Centre in Malawi’s commercial capital, Blantyre and all 14 aspirants for Blantyre City South Constituency will be part of it.
Officials from the Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec), National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) and religious leaders will also grace the walk that will see supporters of all political parties coming together to discourage the use of hate speeches.
This comes a time when two people have lost their lives following violence that erupted between PP and people believed to be DPP supporters at Goliati in Thyolo district.
While DPP President Peter Mutharika’s special aide, Ben Phiri is battling for his life at Blantyre Adventist Hosptial after being severely beaten up by PP assailants, according to the party’s Publicity Secretary Nicolas Dausi.
Ugly scenes resurfaced Monday night in Mzuzu where a house belonging to DPP Youth Director for Northern Region Kelvin Chirambo was attacked and a DPP vehicle found at his compound was set ablaze by PP supporters, according to sources.
It is against this background that YAD and the security agency have partnered to in order to engage aspirants, communities, traditional and religious leaders and youths to concentrate on issue based campaign in a bid to have non-violent and crime free society prior and after the May 20 tripartite elections, according to YAD President Jefferson Milanzie.
“As the countdown to the elections continues, various aspirants with their followers stage different activities within their areas. Some out of desperation for power tend to use hate speeches, violence or engage young people to disrupt peace and socio order in society a situation that most times instigate vengeance and in the process lives of innocent people and property are put at stake,” says Milanzie.
Asked why Zingwangwa and Chilobwe Townships, Community Policing Coordinator, Inspector Dan Sangwa said “our records show that these two townships are highly prone to violence.”
