Federalism forum accuses DPP Cadets of disrupting Zodiak debate

Forum for the Advancement of Federal System in Malawi (FAFESM) has accused ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of organising and sponsoring its Youth Cadets to disrupt the federal system debate held at Grand  Palace Hotel in Mzuzu and aired live on Zodiak Radio.

The forum chair Dr Bina Shawa  noted that DPP organized a youth group to disrupt the debate.

“They made a lot of noise and insulting remarks to people who were contributing to the debate. We know that they were DPP because they came on a DPP vehicle and after the debate, they went chanting in the streets of Mzuzu. We also know that they are DPP because when the police was asked to get out one of the youth they said they were from government just like the police and they could be seen challenging the police and the moderator by saying they are government and no body including the police can chase them out,” Shawa said.

Shawa and forum secretary Patrick Jonathan Mwale said DPP should use North Malawi to create a situation that would lead to rioting and subsequent killing of the people as it happened on July 20, 2011.

“People in the north are peace loving and law abiding. And government must stop provoking the people,” Bina and Mwale said in a statement emailed to Nyasa Times.

The forum said the actions of the DPP youths are contrary to what President Peter Mutharika is saying about allowing a peaceful and sober debate on federal system in Malawi.

“The forum  strongly condemn DPP for their action and using the youths. We also strongly condemn the police for failing to act when they could have done so. The forum  strongly condemn government for using intimidation which is contrary to section 88 of the penal of the republic of Malawi,” reads the statement.

But DPP spokesman Francis Kasaila said it not true the party organised its youth to disrupt the debate.

“That cannot be true at all because the DPP government is encouraging  healthy debate on federalism,” said Kasaila.

The forum however hailed private broadcaster Zodiak for organizing the debate in Mzuzu and to the moderator who asked the police to take out the boys who made insulting remarks, and for encouraging people to contribute to the debate.

Shawa told Nyasa Times in a separate interview that said the federal type of government will allow self rule, determination, self esteem, reliance and equitable sharing of resources to ensure balance of development between the three regions.

“All what we want is federal type of government which will promote equitable usage of resources thereby enhancing development,” said Shaba.

He said among others, the federal system will enhance transparency and accountability of resources and reduce regionalism and nepotism in the country.