Malawi opposition raises concerns over death threats: ‘Stop being critical to President or you will die’

Malawi opposition Peoples Party (PP) spokesman Ken Msonda has claimed that its leaders have received death threats if they continue being critical of President Peter Mutharika and insisting on the calls for the President to resign within 90 days.

Among those being targeted in Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera who is also leader of opposition in parliament, PP vice president Kamlepo Kalua and MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila.

The three Members of Parliament (MPs) have been warned against being critical to government in the National Assembly and pushing for President Mutharika to resign, telling them that parliamentary immunity that protects them inside parliament will not apply once they step out of the House.

The death threats come after Nyasa Times reported that DPP has recruited youths who will eliminate critics of President Mutharika and his Vice Saulos Chilima, and the party.

Msonda said MPs are honourable citizens of the country who should not be subjected to any form of unlawful pressure and or intimidation in the exercise of their constitutional mandate.

The PP spokesman said the threats are coming after DPP regional governor for the south Charles Mchacha said during the opening of third phase of Chipembere Highway that Chakwera, Speaker Richard Msowoya and Kamlepo Kalua are “the only people in Malawi who are against the leadership of DPP administration.”

Msonda condemned Mchacha’s remarks as “primitive politics” aimed at inciting DPP members to rise against the mentioned opposition political party leaders.

He said opposition leaders are “worried” by the threats and they are “leaving dangerously” following death threats from anonymous people calling themselves DPP members.

The opposition has been calling President Mutharika to resign, saying the nation’s economy is on a downward trend and accusing him of being inept.

Msonda also said opposition has offered government solutions in both sort term and long terms but the DPP administration is arrogant to adopt them and also clueless on how to navigate around the economic turmoil.

The government has challenged the opposition that the President will not resign – come what may.