By: Lloyd M’bwana
The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) through its Spokesperson, Dr. Jessie Kabwira has disputed preliminary report over the causes behind Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC)’s warehouse damage in the capital Lilongwe, demanding fresh investigation to establish the real causes of the fire damage.
MCP reaction comes following the Malawi Police Inspector General (IG) Lexten Kachama’s declaration made on New Year eve that MEC warehouse‘s fire damage was a mere accident and not ignited by a person which the party has described such report as a joke hence demanding fresh investigation on the matter.
MEC warehouse damage covered up containing evidence of the disputed Lilongwe City South East Constituency 2014 elections which saw MEC declaring Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Bentrey Namasasu declared as a winner over MCP Ulemu Msungama who successfully challenged the results.
“Investigations on any matter brought to our attention have no limits as we always need enough time to carry the task thoroughly that its outcomes satisfy general public expectations. Other cases require amalgamation of special equipment to establish the real cause of the damaged materials as such delays to come up with the final report isn’t exceptional.
“Therefore, preliminary report on MEC warehouse which was damaged by fire in Lilongwe, it was a mere accident not necessary caused by a person as others might suggest”, explains IG Kachama.
But in an exclusive interview with The Maravi Post on Monday, January 4, Dr. Kabwira questioned the independence of the investigators on the matter arguing that evidence was everywhere that the incident was man made.
“This is very sad and unfortunate development. Therefore, it’s not true that the fire was just a mere accident. Evidence was all over that even some newspapers wrote that National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) officials were seen at the warehouse before it caught fire. The many coincidences around that fire are just too much to ignore.
“Investigation could have also looked into who had more to gain from the destruction of the ballot papers and related ballot materials from disputed constituency elections. We want an independent investigation
because they can’t tell us today it was not arson.
“Who did the investigation? Who did they talk to? How independent were these people. This is a joke. Therefore, the party will sit down and iron out how best to handle the issue as we have just heard from you
as well”, charges Dr. Kabwira.
