Written By: Lloyd M’bwana
The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has hinted to write the Malawi Police Service (MPS) seeking explanation as to why it failed its duty to control the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cadets disrupted and terrorized its members with machetes over the weekend when the party hosted joint rally with People’s Party (PP) and Alliance For Democracy (Aford) in Mzuzu.
MCP demands comes barely a day after some misguided DPP cadets were on the verge of disrupting the solidarity rally the party held in the green city aimed at sharing with Malawians what transpired in the just ended Parliament seating which witnessed government benches with some independent Members of Parliament (MPs) refusing to trim powers of President Mutharika on Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and budget increase to the Ministry of Education without genuine reasons.
Addressing the news conference on Monday, March 21 at its Headquarters in the capital Lilongwe co-hosted by Gustav Kaliwo, Eisehower Mkaka Dr. Jessie Kabwira, and Maxwell Thyolera, MCP’s Secretary General and his deputy, Publicity Secretary and Shadow Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security respectively vehemently condemned the Mzuzu fracas attributing it to intimidation plot masterminded by the governing DPP.
The party observed that it was wrong for the state-controlled Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) alleging that the fracas was the fight between MCP and PP supporters while all in all it was DPP cadets who were behind the mayhem which must not be accepted in the multiparty democracy.
“MCP would like to condemn the fracas masterminded by DPP cadets in its strongest term during this multiparty era when freedom of assembly is guaranteed to all political parties in Malawi. It’s a total lie for MBC alleging that the fight was between MCP and PP without evident. Both parties are in solidarity working relationship towards addressing challenges affecting the nation. Thus, with such move you can’t expect the same groupings fight each other.
“We are reminding the DPP leadership to trade carefully with us because we have also powers to take revenge but we can’t do so because MCP leadership embraces peace and tranquility all the time for the good of this nation.
“Therefore, we demand explanations as to why the police failed their job to track down those behind the saga who happened to be DPP cadets as we have their names. Why the police could be low not helping innocent women and youths who were stripped naked by these thugs despite prior efforts of alerting them? They owe us explanation and the entire nation as to why the stand as police while failing to protects citizens from thugs despite notification letters sent to them including the District Commissioner of our rally”, wondered Gustav Kaliwo.
Kaliwo further dismissed suggestion that a PP faction which is sympathizing with the fired executive member Reverend Christopher Mzomera Ngwira was behind the fracas hinting that MCP don’t want to be dragged into the PP’s internal affairs as the latter (Ngwira) was not part of the party.
When MCP was asked to explain on the legality of solidary rallies is holding with PP and Aford as whether it’s for 2019 tripartite elections preparations, Kabwira disclosed that there was no alliance or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) but rather working together for fighting Malawians welfare.
“We need to tell the nation clearly here that, MCP is not in any alliance or MOU with PP and Aford. The idea of these solidarity rallies aimed at standing together in these trying times when Malawians need solutions to the ailing economy which the DPP government is failing to fix despite giving them all avenues.
“MCP will always work with any party whose interests are for the common good of Malawian people. PP has its own issues which must not be painted to MCP. PP and Aford came to sympathize with us when MCP officials were arrested on the staged treason charges. So, why not appreciating their love and care”, questions Kabwira.
Meanwhile the northern region police have opened an investigation into the ambush by panga wielding thugs who attempted to disrupt a joint opposition rally.
“Our duty is to protect every Malawians no matter which political party they belong to. The team that came in armored vehicle was beef up team. Police officers were deployed and I can assure you that investigations have been commenced and that the suspects will be arrested”, assures Maurice Chapola, Northern Region Police Spokesperson.
