Mutharika accused of ‘politicising’ Malawi Independence Day: JB invitation never sent

President Peter Mutharika and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has come under criticism from political commentators and parties for politicising the 51 st Malawi independence celebrations thereby diluting the need for uniting the nation.

Mutharika and DPP angered citizens when the event was dominated by partisan DPP colours and flags for failure to involve the opposition parties.

Political researcher and analyst, Humprey Mvula accused President Mutharika for the politicisation of Independence Day as his party claimed it more of a DPP rally than a national event which should be commemorated by every Malawi.

“It is wrong. If in the past any ruling party did it, we cannot correct a wrong with another wrong,” Mvula said on Capital FM Daybreak Malawi programme.

Mvula said that he was deeply concerned with the way in which DPP abused the national event and used it for political aggrandizement.

And the former ruling People’s Party (PP) said government did not invite them and former president Joyce Banda to the celebrations, saying DPP displayed undemocratic tendencies.

Ken Msonda, spokesman of PP said the party were ready to attend the event if they were invited.

“PP is dismayed and disappointment with the ruling party’s undemocratic tendencies for not inviting us to this year’s 51 years celebration prayers and events at Kamuzu Stadium,” said Msonda.

“We were ready to attend had it been we got invited; the party had planned to delegate Vice President Uladi Mussa MP, Secretary General Ibrahim Matola and Publicity Secretary Ken Msonda to represent it,” reads a media statement from PP made available to Nyasa Times.

Msonda further described President Mutharika as clueless and that he does not respect democratic principles of governance.

“DPP will never change; the leadership is clueless on how to govern in a democratic set-up; it does not respect democratic values and principles,” said Msonda

DPP spokesman and Minister of Transport, Francis Kasaila said there was nothing wrong for the party to display its memorabilia and flags because they were “elected ruling party.”

“When people go to vote, they elect a party to be in government and DPP are the governing party. Nothing wrong with that,” said Kusaila.

Meanwhile, the invitation which Minister of Information Kondwani Nankhumwa claimed was sent to former president Banda was never sent but rather it was a publicity stunt.

Banda’s Personal Aide, Andekuche Chanthunya said they did not receive the invitation.

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