Tag Archives: Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cadets

Human Rights

HRCC demands Justice for MCP member over DPP cadres’ assault

Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) has condemned the brutal attack on Malawi Congress Party (MCP) supporter who was physically assault by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Namiyango councilor and other DPP cadres in Limbe.

HRCC made the remarks following the recent video which is trending on social media.

In an interview with Maravi Post on Saturday, HRCC Chairperson, Robert Mkwezalamba called on the ruling party to distance itself from the attack and for the police to investigate and arrest those involved.

Mkwezalamba described the attack as “against the rules of natural justice” and “uncalled for”.

He emphasized that lawlessness has no place in Malawi and that such acts can distance a ruling party from its citizens.

“We are even surprised to see the suspect in underwear but handcuffed, we don’t know where the handcuffs were collected from,” Mkwezalamba said.

The HRCC has demanded that the DPP take decisive action against its supporters involved in the attack.

Mkwezalamba also commended President Peter Mutharika’s inaugural speech, which emphasized the importance of following the rule of law and respecting human rights.

“Implicitly, it was clear the president wants things done in an orderly manner this time,” Mkwezalamba said.

HRCC has condemned the brutal attack on a suspected MCP supporter by DPP supporters in Limbe.

Mkwezalamba emphasized that lawlessness has no place in Malawi and that such acts can distance a ruling party from its citizens.

Top News

#Anti-Ansah demos:President Mutharika fails to infiltrate Malawi Army……Soldiers beat up DPP cadets in Blantyre

Maravi Post Reporter 1 Comment

By Nenenji Mlangeni

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-President Peter Mutharika’s move to infiltrate and control the Malawi Army with recent high profile appointments has hit a snag after soldiers mercilessly beat up the untouchable Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cadets in Blantyre.

Mutharika appointed 6 high top ranking officials in the Army with what many saw as a tactic to infiltrate and control the Army.

When the appointments were made on Wednesday, DPP Regional Governor for the South Charles Mchacha told the cadets to go and stop demonstrations against Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson Jane Ansah because we have now sorted out the Army’.

And following Mchacha’s orders, the cadets indeed gathered at Chichiri Upper Stadium in Blantyre where they were intimidating the demonstrators beating up some in the process.

Journalists from private media houses were also targeted allowing only those from state controlled MBC to ‘cover the beatings of the demonstrators’ by the DPP cadets.

However word got to Malawi Army soldiers at Chichiri Camp who rushed to the scene and mercilessly beat up the DPP cadets.

They dragged the DPP cadets in shame and gave them a proper beating before allowing the demonstrators to go ahead with their peaceful demonstrations.

An insider said Mchacha assembled the cadets at the DPP regional office in Sunnyside Blantyre on Thursday night where they were told to stop the demos since ‘the Army is now sorted’.

Mchacha was referring to  the appointment of Tri-Servive Commanders and their deputies by President Mutharika on Wednesday as ‘sorting out the Army’.

Little did he know that the appointments have nothing to do with the soldiers who, without fear, beat up the DPP cadets after Police officers were just looking at them beating innocent people earlier.

A military source said if Mutharika was calculating to control the Army with the recent appointments then he is fooling himself.

“The President and the DPP should now be careful on how they will handle the Army. It is clear that the Army cannot be pushed around like the Police, the Army are well disciplined and do not toe the political party line,” said a high ranking Army officer who did not want to be named.

Mutharika has since appointed some more army Commanders to foreign missions with an aim of controlling the Army.

Bregadier Dan Kuwali has been appointed Defense Attache to Zambia while Brigadier Swithun Mchungula will be Defence Attaché in Zimbabwe and Major General P.V Phiri is the new Defence Attache to Egypt.

Mutharika is still making the foreign appointments in the Army, according to military sources.

Politics

DPP cadets caused havoc at Tumbuka cultural festival; many people injured

Special Absalom

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cadets on Saturday, caused havoc at Gonapamuhanya Cultural Festival of the Tumbuka ethnic group in Rumphi, and injured many people in the process.

The cadets also blocked the vehicle of the leader of the opposition in Parliament, who is also the President of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Dr Lazarous Chakwera and other opposition party leaders.

The panga-wielding DPP cadets attacked opposition supporters, and left several with life-threatening injuries.

Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe condemned the development and used his personal vehicle to carry Dr Chakwera to the function.

Chakwera blasted DPP’s “culture of disturbing opposition,” adding that violence would not win them votes in the 2019 elections.

“Everywhere we are going, the story is the same: that DPP is intimidating people. It is unacceptable,” said Chakwera.

The DPP cadets were alleged to have been organised by Jappie Mhango, the Minister of Transport and DPP campaign director.

But when contacted, Mhango said the cadets were not DPP members.

Police tried to bring peace at the function by throwing teargas canisters, but to no avail as they were overpowered.

Despite the DPP violence, the ceremony proceeded with dance, recounting of history and beer drinking as the Tumbuka ethnic group celebrated their cultural heritage.

The Tumbuka settled in Malawi in the 15th century, after migrating from Timbktu in Mali. They were Swahili speaking business people, selling jewels, hoes and soap.

The name Chikulamayembe is a corruption of the Swahili words ‘chukuwa jembe’ (take a hoe).

Gonapamuhanya was the first Chikulamayembe to settle at Bolero, where the Chikulamayembe chieftaincy is today.

The present Chikulamayembe, Walter Gondwe, took over the throne in 1969 in an acting capacity after Chikulamayembe the 11th (John Hardy Gondwe also known as Ziwange) was sick.

In 1977, Walter was crowned Chikulamayembe the 12th. In 2002, Chikulamayembe was elevated to senior chief. And in 2007, he was made Paramount Chief.

In 2012, his son Mtima Gondwe was unveiled as acting Chikulamayembe at a similar event.

Gonapamuhanya is commemorated every year.