DPP fight with Prophet Bushiri goes ugly:  Cadets sing anti-Bushiri songs at Chinga funeral

Malawi’s governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has taken its fight with South Africa-based Malawian, Prophet Shepherd Bushiri of the Enlightened Christian Gathering Church International (ECG) to another level as on Saturday the party paid some youth in Blantyre and sends them to the funeral of gospel singer Grace Chinga where they chanted anti-Bushiri songs.

The mob was put to action at Robins Park where thousands mourned the legendary gospel artist.

Among others, a group of  about 100 vendors were given MK10,000 each and given beer to get themselves intoxicated before hitting the funeral place in a well choreographed  chants.

The aim was to disparage Bushiri who DPP is trying hard to discredit following the man of God’s rising popularity and charity initiatives in Malawi.

Mixing with some known DPP cadets, the mob successfully managed to sing anti-Bushiri songs.

“Manja mwako tachoka Bushiri, tili manja mwa Mulungu,” the mob of cadets sung.

The plan was put into action when the family of Grace Chinga rose up to refute rumours being spread on social media by DPP members.

“Ndinangowona ma guys akundiwuza kuti kuli ntchito ya ma 10 grand ku maliro a Grace Chinga. Basi tinavaya konko ndipo atichuna ka 10 grand komanso bawa inali yosayamba,” explained Gift Mapesi  popularly known as Agibo who sells Liquor Sachets at Blantyre market.

The development comes a day  after government reacted angrily with Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for soliciting  K44 million from the prophet.

Recently, Bushiri was also forced to stop relief support to people affected by hunger in the country due to what he calls “obstacles from people “protecting President Peter Mutharika’s political interests”.

In a strong worded open letter to Mutharika posted on his Facebook page, Bushiri said the President’s royalists believe he [Bushiri] is eying Mutharika’s seat in the 2019 elections, hence their decision to frustrate his efforts.“

Bushiri popularly known as Major 1 amongst his followers  has repeatedly said he is not harbouring any political ambitions.

He further claimed that most chiefs have been afraid to cooperate with him “because they are scared of your [Mutharika’s] machinery which has waged war under a mission of bringing down my humanitarian efforts.”