DPP says JB should stop using July 20 victims as campaign tool

Malawi’s former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials in the northern region are demanding President Joyce Banda and her Peoples Party’s officials to stop using victims of the 20 July 2011 pro-democracy demonstrations as a tool to de-campaign the party ahead of the 2014 elections.

Officials of the ruling People’s Party have of late been criticizing the DPP for the deaths 20 people during the demonstrations held under the administration of DPP.

Banda also hinted on the same during the recent commemoration of the victims in the northern city of Mzuzu when she asked DPP officials to apologize to Malawians for the deaths of the victims eleven of whom were buried at Zolozolo burial site in the city.

Speaking during a public rally held at Luwinga Area One B in the city, the party’s Director of Youth Kelvin Chirambo wondered why Banda and her officials capitalize on the deaths as campaign tool instead of supporting the bereaved families and other victims.

DPP continue to push in a bid to reclaim power during next year's elections
DPP continue to push in a bid to reclaim power during next year’s elections

“Frankly speaking nobody in DPP or any party is happy with the loss of lives or injuries occurred during the July 20 events but we are surprised how the government handles the matter, it is busy capitalizing on the matter to de-campaign us and buy sympathy from people in the north ahead of the elections”, he said.

Chirambo criticized president Banda’s administration for failing to improve the welfare of the victims’ relatives such as compensating them.

“If it is really concerned, why not compensating the victims’ relatives who go through several economic problems. When did the government started promising Malawians that it would support the victims, and what kind of support has it rendered to them”, he queried.

On the current government performance, the DPP governor for the north, Kenneth Sanga accused the Banda’s administration for weakening security on illegal exporting of agricultural produce from the country, a development he said, resulted many households to suffer acute hunger.

“ Hundreds of tracks had been carrying maize from here to the east African countries such as Tanzania and Kenya, yet government was watching, and the President is busy cheating Malawians that Professor Bingu Wa Mutharika was hiding that there is hunger in the country, is that true?.

“Why can’t she just come open to say her administration is responsible for the current food insecurity in Malawi?” he said.

Sanga asked politicians to meet the principles of democracy by dwelling on development projects they would offer to the citizens when elected rather than castigating each other in rallies.

He however asked people to vote for DPP government in the forthcoming elections for food security, infrastructure and other developments he said would improve the welfare of the common man.

Vice President of DPP Dr Hetherwick  Ntaba declared recently that the party is getting attractive to Malawians and many members of other parties will be joining it.

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