DPP’s Mphepo intimidates chiefs in Nsanje over Manganya’s donation 

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led by its acting Secretary General, Francis Mphepo has started intimidating some chiefs in Nsanje district following a medical donation.

Social commentator and comedian Michael Manganya Usi made a donation on Sunday December 25th, 2016 at Nsanje District Hospital.

Usi on Christmas Day cheered up patients at Nsanje District Hospital and donated assorted drugs worth about K3 million aside from handing out assorted food stuffs and cash to sick and needy patients. He also took time to help clean hospital wards.

The donation of drugs came at a time the country’s hospitals are experience drug and medical supply shortage.

And the development has not gone well within the ruling party and its officials have decided to take on chiefs for allowing such donation to be made at the hospital, arguing it undermined the party and its leader President Peter Mutharika.

Speaking to Nyasa Times in an interview, several chiefs confirmed being intimidated by party officials including the Secretary General, Francis Mphepo.

“I was summoned by party officials in the district two weeks ago who questioned our involvement in the donation and why we allowed such a thing to happen. It was a surprise because we were not involved at all,” complained one of the chiefs.

Another chief disclosed that they have been warned not to entertain opposition political parties and other grouping critical to government or would lose their chieftaincy.

But Mphepo feigned ignorance of the issue when contacted; saying he never spoke to any traditional leader from Nsanje late alone intimidated them.

“Why should I do that, I can’t sink so low. Nothing of such ever happened and I have not talked to any chiefs from Nsanje,” said Mphepo.

DPP has a record of violence and intimidating its critics. Usually the party uses its youths branded cadets to physically manhandle or intimidate those that have opposing views to the party and its leadership.

Usi who is acting Country Director for Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) Malawi during the donation bemoaned the situation at the hospital and called on the private sector and individuals to assist government in improving drug situation in the country.

He then ripped into the country’s political system, saying Malawi is not developing due to pride leaders.

“Politics is not helping us at all. Our leaders are running government with philosophies that are only theoretical and not practical. We need to be practical. If we say economy is improving that needs to be what is on the ground and not word of mouth. This politics of nonsense must stop,” he said then.

Recently, Usi popularly known by his stage name ‘Manganya’ has been linked with ambitions to run for political office such as the presidency.