Poly students heckle PP supporters: Malawi President booed
Malawi President Joyce Banda was on Friday booed by students of Polytechnic, a constituent college of the University of Malawi on Friday after she presented her nomination papers for presidency in the May 2014 tripartite elections to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
In stark contrast to the rapturous applause received by opposition UDF president Atupele Muluzi, DPP leader Peter Mutharika and MCP president Lazarous Chakwera, among other candidates vying for the top job, the students booed at Banda and her PP supporters as she passed through Masauko Chipembere Highway.
According to a posting by Malawi Breaking News (www.malawibreakingnews.com), Banda received more booing from students who said they were hurt by the cash gate corruption scandal.
The students stormed the Masauko Chipembere Highway while chanting anti PP songs. This was after President Banda left the Comesa Hall premises.
A Nyasa Times correspondent in Blantyre said Banda was seen with a stony expression.
It has also been reported that most PP supporters especially those who were at the very back of the presidential convoy were also robbed of party clothes by the angry students.
President Banda proceeded to hold a mass rally at Jamba Freedom Pack which was marred by a heavy down pour.
She unveiled to her supporters her running mate Sosten Gwengwe.
Banda told her supporters at the rally that she is committed to continue to champion the cause of the rural and urban poor.
“I am committed to rural transformation as the centre-piece of my transformational agenda,” she said.
“This is in response to the fact that life in rural Malawi is a continuous struggle and the rural folk are looking for a leadership and a government that can change their life circumstances forever,” said the Malawi leader.
State Vice President Khumbo Kachali who is also PP second in command was conspicuously absent at the nominations and the rally.
Others also missing at the nominations and the rally included PP vice president and Minister of Home Affairs Unlade Moussa, Minister of Housing and government leader in parliament Henry Phoya.
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