MCP member claims to be in hiding

The infighting in the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has gone physical, forcing a member Azam Mwale to go into hiding for fear of his dear life.

In a telephone interview from his hiding place with Nyasa Times,  Mwale who recently spoke in the media against the current party leadership said some party Members of Parliament (MPs) rough necks to deal with him at his home in Lumbadzi.

Mwale mentioned Kasungu Central MP Amon Nkhata as one of those behind the plot.

“Led by central region party youths, the came to my house on Saturday night using a black minibus registration number DA1069 saying they want to deal with me, lucky enough I had already been tipped and they didn’t find me.

“At around midnight, the went to HH Lodge and asked if am lodging there but the owners told them am not. I am currently afraid and don’t even have time to visit my family,” he said.

He called the development as very unfortunate considering that, “in a democratic system, every person has the freedom of speech and what I said was not against the party president Dr Lazarus Chakwera but for the betterment of the party.”

Added Mwale: “MCP is for us all and not a particular person, if we see that things are not working then we have all the right to advice where necessary and this is what we are doing.”

Mwale claimed he has a backing of many supporters although he has no position in the party.

Recently, Mwale told the media that the current party leadership has failed and there is a need for an emergency convention.

He said he has managed to source about 27 district chairpersons signatures in support of the call.

MCP has about 40 district chairpersons and the party constitution state’s that an emergency convention can be called by two thirds of the chairpersons.

When contacted, Nkhata refused to comment on the matter.

“I don’t comment on something I don’t know,” he said.

MCP Public Relations Officer Alekeni Menyani refused to comment saying he doesn’t know the person (Mwale).

“If he is indeed an MCP supporter he could have know how we handle issues within the party,” he said.