Mutharika attacks Chakwera, ‘liar and opportunist’: Malawi president warns against politicising attacks on people with albinism

President Peter Mutharika on Monday attacked Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera, suggesting that he is a “liar” and an “opportunist” for using the killing of people with albinism to score political points.

Mutharika warned politicians against using crimes being perpetrated against people with albinism

Mutharika said this at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe when a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the spate of attacks, abductions and killings of persons with albinism (PWAs) was taking an oath to commence their duties.

In his speech to the commissioners led by y retired judge Robert Chinangwa, President Mutharika said there are politicians who are interested in making gains out of the plight of the persons with albinism.

“This explains the irrational pattern of events we have seen in the past few weeks,” he said.

“First, Reverend Lazarus Chakwera suggested to Malawians that he knows who is abducting and killing persons with albinism. This statement is on record for history to remember,” said Mutharika.

Chakwera said that once elected he would end the abductions and killings within a month.

The President, a professor of international law, wondered why Chakwera wants to be voted into power first in order to end the suffering of PWAs.

“Why not give the information now so that we can stop the suffering of our brothers and sisters with albinism? Obviously, this man Chakwera is a liar and an opportunist. He has no solution to the suffering of people living with albinism,” charged President Mutharika.

This is not the first time for Mutharika to publicly attack Chakwera in harsh way.  In November 2017, the President attacked Chakwera, suggesting the MCP president is mentally unstable and should undergo psychiatric evaluation.

Mutharika and Chakwera have emerged as bitter rivals since the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections in which Chakwera trailed Mutharika in the presidential race.

During the Monday speech, Mutharika condemned some political leaders who he said have chosen to use the attacks and murders of people with albinism to score cheap political gains.

“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to all Malawians. Let us stop politicizing the unfortunate, painful and gruesome situation of the persons with albinism. Let us stop criminal civil societies from exploiting the pain and suffering of people with albinism to gain political scores,” said Mutharika.

“People with albinism are humans and they must be treated as humans. Let us not allow anyone to dehumanise them into objects of political propaganda,” he continued.

“What we need is to stop the gruesome murders and abductions once and for all. People living with albinism should not live in fear in their own country and communities.

“What we need is to unite and confront the barbaric acts against albinism and not encouraging the abductions and killings for political mileage. And I repeat, no politician should encourage the murders and abductions in order to make albinism a campaign agenda,” said Mutharika.

The Malawi leader said the institution of the Commission of Inquiry is “a decisive step” towards defending the lives and rights of people with albinism.

Malawi is experiencing a resurgence of attacks against persons with albinism, with two fatalities and three abductions since 31 December 2018. Two of those who were abducted were later rescued by community members, one remains missing.

Since November 2014, the number of reported crimes against people with albinism in Malawi has risen to 152 cases, including 25 murders and more than 10 people missing, according to Apam.

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mtete
mtete
5 years ago

The Divide and Rule tactics you have applied to the albinos cause is the worst politicising of the issue. Accusing Chakwera is baseless and shows our president is clearly clueless

JOHN
JOHN
5 years ago

MUTHARIKA HAS CHOSEN TO MISREPRESENT CHAKWERA SPEECH! ITS SO SAD THAT WE HAVE SOMEONE OF HIS CALIBRE AS PRESIDENT.

TO ME IT IS AN ADMISSION THAT HE HAS FAILED AND HE WANTS CHAKWERA TO HELP HIM WITH IDEAS ON HOW TO END THE KILLINGS WITH PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALBINISM.

I HATE THIS GOVT BECOZ IT IS VERY SLOW IN ACTING. AM NOT SURPRISED AT ALL. ASK THE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DURING THE ACADEMIC FREEDOM SAGA. THEY SPENT ALMOST A YEAR AT HOME. MALAWIANS, PLEASE LETS NOT VOTE FOR THIS GUY!

tman
5 years ago
Reply to  JOHN

whats wrong asking Chakwera to help Mutharika on albino killings,moreover he has solutions.This does not he,Mutharika is weak,be civilised MAN!

Citizen
Citizen
5 years ago
Reply to  tman

@ tman a civilized person cannot use the kind of language that your grand father president uses . He is simply inept. If he can’t find solutions to our problems he has no business whatsoever being any where near presidency.

Muyeseni lero manja anu amalimba
Reply to  tman

You call this asking Chakwera? Moti apapa He is asking for Help? Be civilised inuyo kaaaaaaaa

gwenenthe mwale
gwenenthe mwale
5 years ago

nanga woganizilidwa akuphedwa bwanji ali mchitokosi. kafukufuku ayenera kuyamba pa imfa ya LULE. mukukhobola umboni. DPP paulendo basi kwawo kapande

chipatso mbewe
chipatso mbewe
5 years ago

kkkkkkkk

Paradigm
Paradigm
5 years ago

Chakwera is giving the old man sleepless nights now blame games as time ticks towards precise outcome.

che nnungu
5 years ago

Mndala iwe ife sitikukufuna. Tikuopa ufela panjira wakalamba basi. We are not voting you this time around

Chingoni pa stone
5 years ago

If I were you nkanamuitanitsa nkumufunsa basi, why then spending money to hire people investigate something which someone says he has evidence, any way we can understand kuti mwina akhoza kuzakutchulani komabe tinavomeleza kale ife just wait for time kuti Chakwera a apange yekha zimenezi, muzafela kundende anthu opanda mizimu inu mmmxiiiiii

Mzika
5 years ago

If it’s not Chakwera then who Else is gonna scare you? Madala grow up please, you will go to jail for these Albino killings, we are happy that the truth has been revealed in time….. Chakwera tiye naye mdalayu akunama ameneyu.

Malawi 04
Malawi 04
5 years ago

Mr president, I think it’s better to concentrate on the issues or problems at hand than blaming others. I am doubting if this commission will deliver, anyway let’s hope s

Ndata Albino Auction Floor

Uyambane ndi Chilima. Uyambane ndiChakwera. Uyambane ndi Joyce Banda. Mutu wako ukugwira m’dala Iwe? Fotseki.

Mr. Ibu
5 years ago

Nanga akadakhala kuti Ras Chikomeni anayima eeeee ndiye nambala ya oyambana nawo ikanakulatu. Mdala asamuke abwelere kwawo ku America.

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