Chakwera against anarchism in Malawi: ‘Politically compromised police unacceptable’
Leader of opposition and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera has denounced an outrageous attempt to terrorize opposition members and critics of government, saying the tax-payers run Police service should be professional, rising above party politics.
“It is sad that some people would want to deliberately perpetuate intolerance, violence and irresponsibility,” said Chakwera, referring to the ugly face of political violence after his rally in Mzuzu was disrupted by panga wielding thugs.
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) deputy national youth director Dyton Mussa has been implicated as ‘commandeering’ the political violence that occurred in Mzuzu and that he is heading a hit squad.
Recently, Nyasa Times revealed that ruling DPP recruited youths who will eliminate critics of President Peter Mutharika and his Vice Saulos Chilima, and the party
An impeccable source confided to Nyasa Times that the party appointed a notorious thug Dyton Mussa to be commandeering a reign of terror.
“They intend to use pepper sprays, pangas and drips-yes the same drips, they will be literally poisoning people. Their team would do exactly what they did to Robert Chasowa and even Issa Njaunju of ACB,” explained the source.
Northern Region police spokesman Maurice Chapola could not deny that the Mzuzu suspects had mentioned Mussa but demanded to know the person who revealed.
However, government officials are said to have ordered Police to release the suspects and told them to “shut up” to get state protection.
In an interview in the Weekend Nation newspaper, Chakwera said Malawians should be and feel protected by Police and their government regardless of political affiliation.
“We do not want a government that presides over anarchy,” he said.
Chakwera also pointed out that rising incidents of mob justice are being perpetuated because of the perception that the police service is incompetent or politically compromised.
“This is worrisome and unacceptable. The police ought to be professional, rising above party politics,” said the opposition chief.
Chakwera, nonetheless, said the youth should desist from being abused because such acts wreck their own future.
“Politicians should put national interest or the common good of Malawians above personal interests and agendas.
“ It is sad to note that the Mzuzu saga demonstrated the extent to which the Executive arm of government disregards our Republican Constitution which guarantees freedom of association and our laws by not thoroughly dealing with the perpetrators,” said Chakwera.
Asked by the paper on what ideas he has that can rescue Malawi from the socio-economic challenges it is facing, Chakwera said the nation has to “re-examine” its policies and promote only those that truly empower Malawians to prosper.
“We have to examine our approach to politics so that we encourage commitment and love of our country above patronage, rent seeking and appeasement.
“Above all, the culture of corruption, fraud, entitlement and wastage must be dealt with urgently through genuine transformation. Unfortunately, we all talk about changing our mindset but expect the other person to do the changing and not us,” commented Chakwera.
Pressed to comment on the calls for President Mutharika to resign, Chakwera was evasive.
“Let the President lead; let him continue to have the trust of all Malawians; let him be consistent, transparent and accountable. He need not wait for people to call for his head,” he said.
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