Chilima’s convoy stoned in Lhomwe belt: Violence ahead of Malawi fresh elections

The country’s estranged Vice President and UTM leader Saulos Chilima’s convoy was on Friday pelted with stones as he conducted a whistle-stop campaign tour in Phalombe and Mulanje districts of the Lhomwe belt which is considered the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) stronghold.

The UTM bus damaged
The UTM bus damaged

Chilima is currently in a campaign trail as running mate of Lazarus Chakwera, the president of the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) in elections tentatively expected to be held next month.

In the ensuring fracas, a Zodiak Television cameraman sustained injuries.

Chilima’s spokesman Pilirani Phiri confirmed the incident and told Nyasa Times that as a result of the incident, the vice president was forced to cut short the whistle-stop campaign tour for the fresh presidential elections.

“There was an attack on the convoy by cadets [DPP youth cadres] and the vehicle that was transporting the media was smashed and a Zodiak cameraman was injured,” Phiri told Nyasa Times. “None of the vehicles on the main convoy of the Vice President has been stoned. To ensure safety, the Vice President had to cut short the campaign tour.”

Video clips that are circulating on social media show a panga-wielding man approaching the media video, followed by beatings on the vehicle body before the vehicle is pelted with stones, smashing all windows.

DPP spokesperson Nicholous Dausi distanced the attack from the party.

“There is no way DPP could organise violence. It is wrong to attack one another ,” said Dausi who is also Minister of Homeland Security.

In another incident, another group of thugs also pelted stones at a political rally that was being addressed by Tonse Alliance members in Liwonde.

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) member Daud Suleman, who was part of the team, said they were  attacked by thugs wearing DPP and UDF t-shirts.

“DPP cadres on motorbikes came into our rally to disturb us. No injuries on our team.  They pelted stones on us and our vehicles. They were wearing DPP and UDF colors.

“We represent a new Malawi that thrives on coexistence and tolerance. A barbaric Malawi, where stone throwing and beatings were a political tool, is long gone. We are in 2020 and the DPP leadership must embrace the change of winds.,” said Suleman, an IT expert for MCP.

He added: “ No amount of stones will derail this change. No amount of beatings will delay the birth of a new Malawi.  We have come in peace and justice.  Tonse ndife a Malawi.”

Malawi Police Service (MPS) national spokesperson James Kadadzera, said they are moving in to curb the acts of violence, warning : “Whosoever will be caught, the long arm, of the law will take its course.”

 

 

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Mthetwa
3 years ago

Dzuro ndaonanso mbuzi zopanda mano kusibza DPP zikuchotsa ma flag a MCP-UTM pa Kudya in Blantyre kaya zikapanga choncho zikuona ngt zaotcha ziphatso zovotela kaya apumbwa eni eni tikumane panthawi yovota bac

Kaka Tend
Kaka Tend
3 years ago

We have seen violence perpetrated by Chilima, Chakwera and Mtambo since last year. Chakwera told MCP supporters to chase people from the southern region. He created Nsundwe thugs who damaged police cars and killed policeman. UTM , MCP and HRDC sent thugs to destroy shops, buildings. They sent thugs to attack president Mutharika’s convoy in Ndirande and Atupele’s convoy on its way to Salima. Chakwera asked MCP members to form militias and these thugs intimidated and harassed people trying to access government loans.

M'Malawi
M'Malawi
3 years ago

Kodi mmayesa mukuti mudzawina landslide ndiye Chilima osamusiya bwanji? Muona nyekhwe chaka chake ndi chino. Poorest region in Malawi is South and yet you boast of producing presidents for the last 26 years ntchito kuba, kusolola ndi kupakula. Mwauponda pano. We want a government that unites us all. Za tribal zanuzo zatikwana, tikufuna tione zina.

Chaos in the Wind
Chaos in the Wind
3 years ago

DPP Cadets you are breaking the camel’s back of UTMCP creating chaos after attacking with throwing stones at Vice President’s Convoy injuring Zodiac’s Crew in Mulanji and Phalombe. Waiting for Police investigation of the murder of 3 Muslims in LL, prosecution of 17 Cadets carrying pangas to a rally in Blantyre, prosecution of Cadets breaking MEC equipment, burning vehiclesTHIS VIOLENCE WILL STOP if Police will NOT arrest YOU and if YOU are caught inciting violence or rigging this election pray I am lenient Join US NOW for WILL BE CHANGE a NEW ERA is COMING.

Nani
Nani
3 years ago

MCP, UTM and HRDC have been perpetrating violence since last year: Chakwera told MCP members to chase people from the southern region. He recruited Nsundwe Boys who damaged police cars and killed policeman. Chakwera went to Nsundwe and thanked the MCP thugs for killing and causing damage. UTM and MCP sent thugs to stone Mutharika’s convoy and TONSE allaince leaders celebrated.

Corona Virus
Corona Virus
3 years ago

Hheheheheheheh de Zayipa Lero ?? mumasekerera mmalo mopanga comdemn mmene anagendedwa APM now ndinu.What kind Leaders are You?

Mwisho
Mwisho
3 years ago

Akugendani kumene…. mwano Zeze

Mangochi boi Advocate
Mangochi boi Advocate
3 years ago

Tikukudikirani mubwere kuno ku Mangochi the bedroom of UDF n DPP inu mbuzi ndi mbalame za emu si pi ndi yu ti emu simunati kuno tidzakuvulazani zenizeni straight waku hospital. Chakwera Chilima mboli zanu mwamva agalu inu

Omex70
Omex70
3 years ago

ndiwe munthu opusa kwambiri. Ukanakhala wanzur ukanadziwa kuti dziko lino ndi la tonse. Mwina iweyo sumayenda. Umangozungulira ku Mangochiko basi.

nafundo zalo
nafundo zalo
3 years ago

Owo!!!

Bauleni
3 years ago

Chonde mbwiyache tisamatukwane. Express your views without being vulgar.

Lego
3 years ago

It was not in Lilongwe where Daud Suleiman and Co were pelted with stones but it was in Liwonde where it happened.

Chakwera wapenga
3 years ago

Chisamakomere mbuzi kugunda galu.

Akanamuthudzula diso chilima zikanakhala bwino kuti a Tonse mudziwe kuti violence is a bad thing. Msundwe barracks has injured more people and property in this country but that was ok chifukwa ndimbali yanu sichoncho? Remember, You reap what you sow.

BigMan
BigMan
3 years ago

Dausi is a joke. Imagine up to now the police hasn’t even touched the case where a family was burnt to death in area 24. They are busy importing covid 19 cases to create a health crisis in order to justify cancellation of elections.

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