MCP comes back to its senses on violence after donors condemnation: Chakwera calls for calm
Facing serious violence reparations and increasing unpopularity, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has made a swift turn on its policy on inciting violence and perpetrating political terrorism with party leader Lazarus Chakwera condemning post-election violence and called for calm until the court determines on the election results challenge.
MCP is now pleading with its followers to stop the violence after causing massive damage that has shocked many Malawians and the international community alike.
On Saturday, Chakwera visited his Lilongwe North West constituency and told his people to stop violence especially against motorists.
Chakwera’s constituency has been the worst violent. Scores of teams have been coming from Kasiya, Malembo (Chakwera’s home) and as far as Santhe terrorizing surrounding areas including demolishing their own community schools and intimidating chiefs.
In a video circulating on social media, MCP Youth Director Richard Chimwendo Banda is also seen visiting MCP communities and urging them to stop violence.
But Chimwendo himself was the first after Chakwera to publicly incite violence and mobilize youths to unleash the terror.
In the clip he admits that even their own members have been victims of the terror.
“Ine dzulo wina wandiimbira phone kudandaula kuti a Chimwendo ine ndalakwa chani? Ine wanu wanu weni weni koma dzulo ndazunzika kwambiri, galimoto yanga andiphwanyira. Tsopano ine ndalakwa chani?” (I am an MCP member but you have broken my car. What wrong have I done?) Chimwendo reports to a group of MCP supporters.
Chimwendo’s report shows that the oldest party has been waging senseless violence that has hurt and affected many innocent Malawians including MCP members and chiefs.
He tells people in the video clip which Nyasa Times has seen to stop violent demonstrations because their case is in court.
“How can we win the case if we continue this violence?” he asks as he addresses MCP members.
However, there are more serious reasons that have forced MCP to change tune on violence – other than that its own members are suffering and complaining.
The party faces a multi-billion kwacha lawsuit for violence reparations from those affected by MCP violence in a joint conspiracy with UTM and Human Rights Defenders Coalition.
The Police Act provides that organizers, conveners or participants in a demonstration that end up in injuries to people and damage and loss of property will be held liable for reparations. Assessments on the damage are currently underway.
The lawsuit for reparations will find MCP already drained after they have spent huge sums of money on campaign, hiring lawyers for their elections case and sponsoring violence since the elections on May 21.
The damage is the worst in the history of elections in Malawi. Among the victims are banks such as FDH Bank, NBS Bank, Standard Bank, Nedbank and First Capital Bank whose property has been damaged by the protestors. Each of these banks is also preparing to sue.
Mzuzu and Karonga have suffered the worst damage of public property. It includes the breaking of Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) offices torching Mzuzu Agriculture Development Division (ADD) offices, Department of Parks and Wildlife offices and the Treasury Cashier’s regional office and Karonga District Commissioner’s Office.
Scores of people have also been maimed and injured and may sue for their life threatening injuries.
Another reason for MCP to start preaching peace is that party is under severe pressure from the international community for adopting violence as a means to settlement of electoral disputes while it has a case in court on the same.
Some people in the donor community are now talking about dragging Chakwera, Saulos Chilima and the Human Rights Defenders to the International Criminal Court (ICC) if they continue with their violence and political terrorism.
Several of Malawi’s development partners have specifically written Lazarus Chakwera warning him on his violent approach as a reaction to his loss in an election they certified as peaceful, free and fair.
Some of the damage MCP has perpetrated has been unleashed on property of international bodies such as the USAID, a development agency of the United States Government. Protestors broke into USAID’s premises in Lilongwe and damaged its top of the range utility vehicle in the parking lot.
MCP is also facing the wrath of the International community for dragging the UNDP in its electoral dispute. UNDP supported MEC in hiring an audit firm, BDO, to provide audit services for the results to ensure the elections are transparent.
However, MCP strategists have smeared the audit firm in social media posts that it helped rigging the election and that it has a criminal record related to auditing services in the US. They have also attacked UNDP and MEC that they hired the firm fraudulently.
Meantime, the US Government has told the world that Malawi’s Elections were “successful” and that America will work with the current Malawi Government.
In a message sent on Malawi’s Independence Day, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo hints that the US recognizes Professor Peter Mutharika’s government as legitimate because the election was “successfully” conducted. The US government says they will work with the current government.
MCP is forced to stop violence after overwhelming international and local pressure. President Mutharika has always insisted on peace and restrained his supporters from revenging despite suffering some of the worst violence.
Political observers say Mutharika is now vindicated as a peaceful democrat.
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Amen. We Need Peace
What a pathetic author and article.
Amalawi anzanga… The writer is a cadet….neva writes anything apart from political propaganda.. They hv gone on a media offensive strategy on other platforms apart from mbc to paint demos as a plan to overthrow the govt. No need to be bothered…
NyasaTimes proves why online news sites must be registered and regulated like all MSM….this is not journalism but madness…this is probably the rest time i will spend my data on this crap
Aliyense yemwe anatengapo mbali poyenda nao must face the law. These include Chakwera and Chilima.
DPP cadet has written this article. We will not stop demonstrations. It is called democracy. People have the right to go out in the streets. DPP is feeling the pain of the demos. Damage control. Mwalira nawo. We will not be fooled by amateur DPP sponsored writers. Akupatsa zingati kuti ulembe rubbish iyi?
mtolankhani wa DPP
kkkkkk paja akuti mukamakhala phwiii osalemba chilichonse asiya kumakuponyerani ku ma account kwanu. You are a very pathetic journalist we have ever seen in this country. Dependence on others will just make you poorer. wise up and use your wits
Gule Lazaro kwawo 👹👹
Now oChakwera’s reign on MCP will end with a whimper; and he will be sent packing back to the Church.
Abale inu, we sort of saw this coming in as much as financiers of MCP cannot be expected to stand by while the country is being set alight. Apparently, money rules as there has been public outcry regarding the violence, theft and damage to property but MCP would not put brakes on their thuggish behavior.
The threats to the Hague ICC are probably premature, but this should be taken as a shot across the bow. by oChakwera, the Mias, and the likes of Chimwendo.
And, oh, that boy Chilima should also be shaking at the knees. Ditto for Mtambo – being so-called a human rights defender does not immunize one against ICC legal actions.
Finally, the law suits against MCP are real; and they will be massive. Cases will encompass the whole gamut – personal injury, psychological injury, loss of personal property, business property, opportunity costs etc. This could be enough to actually bankrupt MCP, once and for all: and, good riddance.
This should have been done at the end of their dictatorship, and when their sponsor or owner, Kamuzu Banda, had more money than all Malawians combined.
Asa.
Chakwera, Trapence, Mtambo and Chilima should bless for more trouble to come. It is just a matter of time. Keep on enjoying with your violent demonstrations. Let the innocent and poor people suffer in your hands but expect tough times ahead of you. The story of Egyptians versus Israelites is clear that after the Israelites long time of suffering, the perpetrators were wiped out by God. Just keep on waiting. Soon Chakwera, Chilima, Trapence and Mtambo will weep. Kuchenjera konse kutheratu.
Wapezeka woyambitsa kuba kuja.apa nde chakwera akadzipereke yekha ku police.Profesor always is behaving peace,real Democrat man
Dpp sponsored thugs blocking roads if you watched the recorded one on MBC news doesn’t take a genius to put 1 and 2 together!
Mr Journalist, are you serious with this trash of your so called writting? MCP, UTM and HRDC will and shall NEVER pay for those damages. There has been no condemnation from your so called DONOR community, do not lie to Malawians. Ma Cadets mukuvutika ndi maloto mwamva, simuthana nayo opposition. Anzanu ndiawo a MEC awakanila kuonjezera nthawi, musamapuse. Mkazi wanu SEUID WHITE ndiuyo wapenga misala, akungobakila zilizonse coz anamulowetsa mu boma.
This is a silly article written by someone who is not conversant with law and international relations. I’m laughing at the ignorance on display
Achakwera kuphuzitsidwa nzeru ndi alendo
Zochititsa manyazi
A vice anu akuputsisani
A broadminded person cannot support the so called demos because they are based on politics without principles.All leaders involved are selfish filled with malice and hatred, and indeed should be liable for all damages caused in the process.Even the church has failed to condemn this violence in strongest terms.Church leadership cannot use terms like rights and freedom to protest.Which verses in the Bible do mention rights and freedom? Even Saint Paul to the Galatians said:You,my brothers,were called to be free.But do not use your freedom to indulge in sinful nature;rather,serve one another in love.The entire principle[natural law} is summed up in a single command:”Love your neighbor as yourself”.
Powerful, thank you brother and GOD bless you
Chilima was a hopeful but he has reduced himself to a demon possessed on the road with thieves. Drugs!
its only senseless criminals like you that will be supporting foolish Jane Ansah….DPP is supposed to appear before the ICC bcoz its a criminal party. If you talk of Violence, where were the police officers when people started looting peoples propeties? Its bcoz of their stupidity that to led to violence, no wonder MDF came in to restore peace
What did you expect them to do after being cheated,cheer the the cheater ?
Atwel Kabungweis a DPP cadet masquerading as a journalist. You always write trash. I believe you are on DPP pay roll..It won’t take you anywhere.
Olemba uyu ndi Mbuli ya ma DPP cadets. Useless propaganda
Kkkkkk chimidzi basi
Keen Observor, with your version of DRC’s Bosco Ntaganda aka Chakwera/Chilima. Justifying and clapping for their evil activities? Remember to accompany them to Hague during their trials! Chasing out a citizen to go home within his/her own country because of politics is enough for ICC to charge you guys. May your souls rot in hell
Just give chimwendo some tippex. He will know what to do with it.
Very brainless and useless cadet. Tell Jane Ansah Madandu to pay the cost please.
Atwel Kabungwe are you serious MCP is facing serious violence reparations and increasing unpopularity? Where is that happening? Iwetu kukwanila kukugawana ndithudi….!! Atwel Ikafika gear 3 ndipamene unene zenizeni kuti MCP has done it!! Chonde don’t waste this precious time, go and give the courts what you have to defend the stupid election results you gave the nation…………………!! You’re sitting on a time bomb………….. zokokela nthawi palibe chaka chino!! Munya muonaaaaaaaaaa!
So we are being controled by doners? Same doners who are finding Dpp so that it remain in power. Doners who tend to support us but they in same whatsapp group of corruption.
Ma journalist akuMalawu ndizitsiru Kwabasi. When money is looted, and denied to citizens due to theft, do you not realize that that too is a form of violence against people? When a government asshole steals money meant for a school, don’t you realize that that permanently marginalizes hundreds of would-be learners to a life without education and prospects, condemning them to poverty. When money is stolen from hospitals, that literally signs the death sentences of hundreds. And yet in your little crude minds, here you are, tripping over your own piss about damage and violence incurred during a demonstration which would right most of the other wrongs we see in this sick society. Pathetic and appalling. Grow a brain.
This man is not well.
BDO Jordan (a BDO network based in Jordan) is the firm that did the MEC audit. Of all BDO networks around the world, even our own BDO Malawi on the ground, why go to Jordan? Is Jordan a democracy? Really?! of all countries.
MEC and DPP went shopping for auditors who could be bribed and UNDP just provided funds.
ICC is will definitely come into the picture so some people can be held accountable for Njauju and Chasowa.
The election re-run can come soon enough.
Iyi nde MCP yomwe ndimaidziwa ine, Mayufi being proper terrorists as well being nepotistic. The dark shadow that MCP is has now returned
It’s called DEMO-cracy for a reason!
MCP has DEMO-nstrated it’s true colors through the DEMO-s. It is called DEMO-cracy for a reason!
Real freedom comes at a cost remember that Atwel or whatever you call yourself. Violence is not good yes BUT freedom comes with a price. Dont take Malawians for granted. In every war there are casualties that’s the reality so you’re talking of the true colors of MCP why you dont talk of those who were being put under the seats of the MDF trucks ‘ the Cadets??????
What freedom?? Ifetu anthu 38% tinavotela Apm..inu 32% nkhalani ziphwanyani zinthu..ife Boma mpaka 2024..nanunso ngati muzafune muzavote ambiri.That is democracy..osati kumalira because your fake pastor lost.
The writer of this article is a brainless cadet
When you sit down and write, how do you feel? You are wasting your time. That is why the police who for long time have allowed cadets like you to take law into their own hands akumennyedwa makofi ndi atsilikali enieni
Fake news those police officers had a scuffle with the army because of spraying tear gas when the army didnt have gas masks.Mcp Propaganda changed the story to their liking on facebook.Didnt u see general Nundwe saluting his commander in chief looking ever happy doing it?
This Atwel writes trash always. I wonder if at all he’s really in tune with what Malawians are angry at. People are angry at tippexing and taking them for granted as fools. Anybody who is just wouldn’t take the tipped issuelying down.
Do you have evidence to show that presidential results changed as the result of the tippex?
Iwe kuteloko sukudziwa kuti tippex changed presidential election figures in 10 districts where dpp is too unpopular? Are you a Malawian, a genuine one who love mother Malawi? Is condoning tippexing of election results something worthy gleaning at? Are you serious? Is it fair to be getting presidents through tippex? Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh
Then why block roads as if they are the ones who tippexed the ballot papers? Meat for Crocodiles Party (MCP) remains a party of death and darkness.
Malawi has nearly 18 million people, yet the total number of demonstrators is not even 1% (180,000 people). How can one claim that ‘malawians are angry’ , ‘the people have spoken, etc ‘ based on these very few people? What kind of sampling is this? Don’t cheat the world. Many malawians are not willing to be dragged into this. They believe politics ended on 21 May 2019 and this is the time to move on with their lives.
You are very intelligent Mr. Parallel Market
Chombo, which Malawians do you actually mean that they are angry with MEC results? Be specific to your parties NOT all Malawians as you so wish.
32% is not the whole malawi..there is also a silent 38% that voted for APM but silent.
Let’s wait for the court ruling
MCP has demonstrated its true colors. Whatever they are!
Nice Choice of name Chigoba iwe
It’s called DEMO-cracy for a reason! everyone DEMO-nstrates their true colors!