Malawi police queried for breaking up churches but protect DPP-UDF supporters at rally

April 26, 2020 Watipaso Mzungu -Nyasa Times 21 Comments

The neutrality and professionalism of the Malawi Police Service (MPS) have come under serious public scrutiny again after law enforcers fired teargas to disperse spaciously-seated congregants at St. Louis Catholic Parish in Balaka on Sunday morning.

Malawi Police questioned for disrupting Eucharist Mass

Ironically, the police happily provided security to densely-seated supporters of the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and  its alliance partner United Democratic Front (UDF) who attended a public rally at Balaka Stadium a few days ago.

The meeting, which attracted over 200 DPP and UDF supporters, was addressed by the Minister of Labour, Skills and Innovation, Lilian Patel, addressed alongside Minister of Persons with Disability and the Elderly, Clement Chiwaya.

Throughout the rally, DPP and UDF supporters defied social distancing order, yet the police did nothing to enforce measures to prevent or protect the supporters from the threat of virus pandemic.

But when the Catholics spaciously-gathered Sunday of April 26, 2020, to seek the face of God in the wake of the pandemic, the police cracked whip on the unsuspecting faithful.

The development prompted renowned Malawian musician and former member of Parliament (MP) Balaka North constituency, Lucius Banda, to question police neutrality and professionalism when enforcing orders to contain the pandemic.

“I wonder why they didn’t do the same at the stadium a few days ago,” Banda, who is UTM Party director of campaign,  wonders in his post on his Facebook account.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, in an earlier interview, also wondered whether the waiving of the anti-COVID-19 measures on DPP and UDF supporters at the Balaka Stadium rally meant the suspension of the measures to allow all political parties to conduct campaign rallies in preparation for the fresh presidential election slated for July 2, 2020.

Apart from Catholic, police also forced  Christian worshipers away from churches of  Anglican in Balaka, Church of Central Africa Presbytery (CCAP) and Church of Christ.

Church of Christ Pastor McDonald Chisale, ppealed to the government to allow the church to remain open, saying it gave hope in times like these.

“COVID-19 will not survive the prayers of the church. We need to talk to God more through prayers; we are saddened by this restriction,” said Chisale.

But Eastern Region Police Public Relations Officer Joseph Sauka said worshipers will have to bear with the situation as the government fights the coronavirus.

“This will apply across the eastern region and it is not only targeting prayer houses, but it includes bars and bottle stores,” he said.

Observers say said the fear around the Covid-19 could be more devastating than the disease itself if not well managed.

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21 replies on “Malawi police queried for breaking up churches but protect DPP-UDF supporters at rally”

  1. Churches should be closed period. So should all public gatherings in general. What’s wrong with us Malawians?

  2. So after voting for DPP, giving full support to it in Balaka this how u pay us Bwana Muthalika?

  3. But why is this happening in Balaka alone?something is wrong with the commisioner of Police for the eastern region.

  4. what else can one expect when the Police is headed by a die hard DPP supporter? Professionalism and neutrality are thrown to the dust bin.

  6. That’s proof that the government is lying about coronavirus in Malawi. How come social distancing doesn’t apply to DPP and UDF? They are the ones preaching about the deadly virus yet they’re not scared of it? Adzigwiritsa okha. There’s NO Covid~19 in Malawi and proof is the DPP /UDF rally. Musatinamizepo apa agalu inu.

  11. Men of god are not economical with the truth about why their churches should remain open. You know Muslim are also affected but so far they are not complaining to the media. Its funny to hear the church saying they should open because tobacco auction is open or indeed because a government minister held a meeting. The church should know its members can pray at home for the time being, if its about offering just consult major prophet he will tell you new methods of generating liquidity

    1. They should pray at home and then go to the Minister’s meeting and get the Virus???? What Churches are desiring is that if there members are to stay at home for their safety, they should stay at home and not go to political rallies, voter registration, tobacco markets (by the way tobacco has killed more people over the years with cancer than corona has of now). Let us have total safety and not politically convenient safety.

  12. Very unfortunate. We don’t have leaders in Malawi. Why selective application of COVID-19 measures? Are UDF and DPP members immune from this virus?

  13. These are unchartered waters in Malawi, Malawi Police please tread carefully. You never know what would became of you. Be wise. Botoman had just said on Times Tv that the Malawi Government had not stopped churches from meeting on Saturday evening and on Sunday you are chasing away Christians from church. What does that mean ? Disrespectful to the Malawians, for what reasons police would tell us.

    1. This is the beginning of things to come. What can you expect from cadet in the fore-front. Dausi and Chisi (Botomani) to explain on this sad scenario. Zimayamba chonchi, wait, you have seen nothing yet. Mulungu wathu chitaniponi kantha msanga so that they should learn from their partsanship politics. Lets recite the Rosary and do some Novena prayers on this. In 9 days time, we should expect miracle(s). In His Holy name we pray. Amen

  14. UDF and DPP supporters are Resistant to Covid…But if you support the Opposition or Go to Church …You are going to get Infected ….Ministers in the Forefront breaking the Rules ….Tiyeni tingovemereza kuti Zinalowa ndale Basi ….That’s why I have been advocating for a Decentralised Approach to the Fight against Covid …..

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