Chakwera clarifies remarks ‘against’ JB and Chaponda
Leader of the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Lazarus Chakwera says he is not regretting his recent statement concerning how President Joyce Banda’s administration is handling issues of national interest and on his remarks against the opposition Democratic Progress Party (DPP0 position on people in the northern region.
Speaking during Tiuzeni Zoona program on the privately owned Zodiak Broadcasting Station on Sunday, Chakwera who is also the MCP’s presidential candidate for the May 20 elections said his remarks were not personal attack on anyone but was a concern on how politicians mess around with governance issues.
“I didn’t say that as disrespect to anyone, I just said that in response to what had happened recently,” said the MCP torch bearer.
“For example on the use of proceeds from the sale of presidential jet, there were three contradicting statements from government officials including the president on the use of the proceeds. So what I was saying was that Malawian should be told the truth, not 10 contradictory explanations on the same issue,” he said.
On remarks he said were made by the DPP’s George Chaponda that his party can win elections without votes from northern region, Chakwera who insisted that Chaponda indeed made the remarks, declined to comment more, saying the issues was in court.
“Although he is distancing himself from the remarks I can’t argue more because he has taken me to court,” he said.
However, Chakwera said he had no doubt that MCP will form the next government come May 21 owing this to the rejuvenated leadership and policies the party has.
“We are the only party at the moment which exercises sound democracy, we have really changed. For example during our convention there were 11 contestants for the first time in the party’s history. And on top of that we have been consulting people on every issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chaponda is seeking – against Chakwera – damages for defamation and embarrassment caused in the eyes of reasonable or right thinking members of society and aggravated or punitive damages for stigma, doubts or suspicions caused in the minds of right thinking members of society.
He is also praying for exemplary damages as a result of his suffering as a senior member of a leading opposition political party with firm expectations to get his party to the election that could result in his party taking the reign of power to lead Malawi.
Chaponda was quoted to have said: “Let me challenge you. We will win in May without people from the North voting for us.”
The DPP guru said he will go all the way to fight this case, saying his reputation is being badly lowered in the estimation of right thinking members of society.
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