Chakwera calls for release of MCP cadres arrested over poll protests
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera has called for an immediate release of its party cadres, including a member of parliament arrested while protesting in the streets alleging irregularities in the May 21 presidential race narrowly won by President Peter Mutharika.
The Malawi Police Service said 18 people were arrested in the capital, Lilongwe, on Thursday on charges including malicious damage and proposing violence but called the current situation in the country “very calm.”
Addressing a news conference on Saturday at the party headquarters in Lilongwe, Chakwera said Section 38 of Malawi Constitution guarantees the right for everyone to assemble and demonstrate their grievances.
“Release them now. Release them unconditionally. We don’t have to negotiate about their release,” said Chakwera.
“Our lawyers went to police and courts to seek bail for the arrested MCP supporters. It is unfortunate that bail was denied but we will continue seeking justice,” he said.
He also accused police of using excessive force on protestors and spraying tear gas, saying President Peter Mutharika should say sorry to United States ambassador Virginia Palmer who on Thursday was caught up in tear gas fired by police against protesters while she met with Chakwera.
He said Palmer sent him a text after both had run away from the building due to the teargas to find out if he was safe.
“I told him that I am safely home and she said she wanted to send a rescue team,” said Chakwera.
The U.S. has called for restraint.
Chakwera also said he held talks with the UTM president Saulos Chilima over the political issues and lawers from both parties are talking over the poll case which is now in the Constitutional Court.
Instead of being at the frontline in the thick of things, including tear gas, he ran away to hide in his house. This is while other people’s children were being rounded up for terrorism. Now he shouts on top of his voice from the comfort of his hide-out to say release them. What a turncoat.
Let the protesters, especially the leaders and the violent ones, face justice like every Malawian does. But, before that Police should give these malova a taste of the tear gas baasi. oChakwera, man, don’t be so naive: you really think the US is on your side after the Ambassador reiterated!!! (my emphasis) to you that the elections were fair, after they were conducted in professional manner (thanks to Ms Jane Ansah? Come on man; grow up. Just pick yourself up, and tell your friends and backers in the southern US conservative Evangelical community, that you have struck out. No more… Read more »
A Chakwera ndimwe a belebeza ( a cofunsed person)
Why? It should be you getting confused I guess and confirm!
Never heard DDP cadres being arrested!
Who should be apologized and for what good reasons? We are not under colonial rule so forget and smile that we are going to apologize. Instead you should be the one to apologize for making environment unbearable.
Do you know diplomatic etiquette or you are thug/cadet? Funsani anzanu omwe anapitako kusukulu akulongosolereni kuti ambassador ndndani ndipo m’mene zinachitikira muja zikutanthauzanji kumayiko ndi amene anakhuzidwa aja……ngati zinthu simuzizidziwa, khalani chete mungachititse manyazi amayi akwanu, ana anu, ndi inu amene…..very embarassing indeed!
Bwana GO AND REPLACE THOSE IN CUSTODY
This Chakwera mizimu (spirits) that Nkhoma Synod saw in him are at work. Uku timati kusavuka. Munthu uyu ngati satamba likuswa dzuwa ndi mwai.
It’s only you a devil, who doesn’t even a name. What’s with you idiot?