President Mutharika condemns political violence, hate speech ahead of Malawi 2019 polls

August 21, 2018 Nyasa Times Reporter 37 Comments

President Peter Mutharika has condemned the violence that damaged two United Transformation Movement (UTM) vehicles on the eve of its Eastern Region launch in Mangochi on Sunday, describing the act as anti-democracy.

Mutharika: There should be political tolerance

The condemnation followed events of Saturday night when two UTM vehicles— a Nissan Hardbody registration NS 7932 and a Toyota Hilux registration NA 4112—were smashed and set ablaze, respectively, while parked at two separate lodges around Mangochi Boma.

In a statement made available to Nyasa Times by State House press office,  Mutharika learnt “with regret” the  violent acts in Mangochi.

“The President condemns the incidents as they go against the spirit of democracy in Malawi,” reads a statement issued by Presidential Press Secretary Mgeme Kalilani.

“As one of Malawians who took part in the drafting of the Constitution which guarantees democratic rights of Malawians today, President Mutharika believes in and advocates for tolerance among Malawians of different political divides.

“The President therefore condemns any acts that infringes on people’s democratic rights and narrow the space for democratic growth in Malawi,” the statement added.

Kalilani said President Mutharika is urging all Malawians to demonstrate that democracy is maturing in Malawi by ensuring peaceful co-existence as the nation heads to the poll.

Mutharika once again made a clarion call for leaders of all political parties to be exemplary in their conduct and shun violence ahead of the Tripartite elections set for May 21 2019.

“The President also urges political parties to restrain their followers from inciting and perpetrating violence.  President Mutharika is asking all politicians to take the lead in creating a peaceful environment by ensuring they run issue-based political meetings as this is critical for the building of our nation,” said the statement.

Mangochi Police Station spokesperson Rodrick Maida confirmed the incidents  and  said police needed more time to investigate the matter.

However, President Mutharika said he expects the police to bring its investigation of the Mangochi incident to a logical conclusion and that perpetrators are brought to book.

UTM spokesperson Joseph Chidanti Malunga accused DPP of having a hand in the violence, claiming DPP is desperate to weaken the movement.

But DPP spokesperson Nicholas Dausi laughed off Malunga’s accusation, saying the governing party does not associate itself with violence.

Mangochi and the entire Eastern Region, which also includes Zomba, Machinga and Balaka, have politically been regarded as the stronghold of the former governing United Democratic Front (UDF).

UDF president Atupele Muluzi, who is also Minister of Health, also condemned the violence in Mangochi when he addressed a rally in Lilongwe.

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37 replies on “President Mutharika condemns political violence, hate speech ahead of Malawi 2019 polls”

  1. Please MPs enact the laws to ban political hudlums like cadets. In Germany political hoodlum the Nazis were part and parcel of genocide and were banned. If the whole leader of Malawi is embracing young democrats who commit all sorts of violence then we doubt the leaders commitment.

  2. APM should walk the talk by leading by example, how many times has he tolerated abusive language from his party, DPP. Jeff Wa Jeffrey & Mchacha are examples of his cadres who speaks evil about political opponents but I have never heard him condemning the same at their rallies. DPP is worse than the one party MCP because it does not tolerate divergent political views. About the fire in Mangochi its no secret it is the DPP operatives who torched the UTM vehicles because it has been their tradition. I don’t need to remind you that FIRE is an instrument they know best how to cause harm to political opponents assets. Jessie Kabwilas vehicle, LLW MEC warehouse, Bon Kalindo in Blantyre incidents are just examples of how bad DPP is..

  4. So you are trying to fool us?Why you did not act when your cadets harassed some members of the Parliament in full view of you Mr President in Lilongwe?I think you are a snake in the grass no doubt.

  6. Kubisala pa chipandetu! Ku Nkhotakota kuja mumathandizana ndi Wa Jeffrey kumatukwana & before this, it was reported in the papers that Wa Jeffrey was organising thugs to disrupt UTM rally but you kept quiet until your mission was accomplished ndiye pano mukunamiza ana?

  7. WHAT A FOOLISH PERSON WHO SETS A HOUSE ON FIRE AND LATER ON BUSY CONDEMNING THE ARSON? NO CREDIT ON THIS. CHILIMA HAD BEEN USED AS A POLITICAL CONDOM BY THESE TOOTHLESS MATCHONAS.

  8. President Muntharika has demonstrated good leadership here. A plus for him. Well done Mr President.

    1. So u believe in what as been reported here,,,,Malawians will never stop amazing me,,,,U can’t see that all this is just to save face,,,,,,What good can u expect frm munthu omanga niece wake wenix2 in petty issues,,

  9. Let’s look into this matter.

    Come 2019 if we stand as we are today Malawi . Let’s be honest it is a 3 horse race 🐎.

    DPP🔵, MCP ❇️ & UTM🛑.

    If we are as we stand today it is how we will stand come 2019 DPP🔵 as the government 🔵. It’s just my prediction and assumption that DPP “should”again “should” not shall but SHOULD win.

    In the balance of things DPPs🔵 supporters are generally loyal and is a big following.

    Let’s dissect Malawi into NORTH ⬆️ Central ↔️ EAST➡️ & Southern ⬇️

    North ⬆️ Is a two way horse race mainly MCP❇️ & UTM 🛑 . MCP❇️ should on paper get more votes then it’s between UTM🔴 & DPP🔵(Maybe for second place)

    CENTRAL↔️ & EASTERN ➡️region hold the key to who “should “again it is my assumption “SHOULD” be the opposition in parliament or maybe even decide the winner these regions are swing areas . Central is divided on who to vote for and eastern region generally majority votes UDF🔶 But there is no chance it is ever coming into power so EASTERN➡️ region could be the difference.

    As for the beloved SOUTH ⬇️majority of votes should go to the current government 🔵 and has a much larger population . MCP ❇️should gain some ground but not enough .

    Again I’m just assuming then again I’m only human the master Planner is GOD almighty & GOD alone.

    We pray for a peaceful and prosperous election no matter the outcome.

    God Bless Malawi and keep it a land of peace!!! 🇲🇼

    1. I agree. But as said, God is the master planner. Of course DPP is winning. But I opine that there will be a bigger gap between MCP and UTM than between MCP and DPP. I see UTM voted for in the cities only and DPP and MCP fighting for votes in the rural where people vote mwaunyinji. Plus I don’t see UDF going into these polls alone without the DPP. If UDF and DPP make an alliance, then expect a bigger gap between the DPP and MCP. But still, UTM will be far a distant away behind MCP.

    2. I agree me too, DPP will win the people in southern hate MCP I don’t think Chilima can survive the heat, I personally love DPP not the president and I shall ever do so as long as is DO on ballot paper and I guess many Southern does the same , my vote is for DPP not the president but DPP I love the party and am die hard of it as for Chilima keep dreaming come 2019 heart attack

  11. Since when has the Police made conclusive determination on violence cases especially if its perpetrated by DPP. As of now, DPP has created monsters within its ranks and are getting out of control. Condemnation won’t be enough to stop the destruction train. more needs to be done Mr President. Wake up from your slumber and take charge for your officers have failed you big time.

  12. Musamatinamize ngati simukudziwa kanthu apa!!. Zomati mukaluma mkumawuzilirazo ayi.Wamaso akuwona,wamakutu akumva Mr Prince of thieves.Eee koma mametedwewo Pumbwa weniweni.

  13. Well said your excellency! We hope the bastards who committed the heinous crimes will be swiftly bought to book. Rumour has it that the perpetrators may be your loved and infamous Cadets sir!

  14. It is too late your excellency,the incident happened Friday,today is Tuesday.The younger leaders made their comments on Saturday,Sunday and even Monday.Aging slows everything indeed.

  15. Very true Mr. President but somewhere somehow this can be there own make you know what? UTM wants to discredit you and other parties as much as possible, they want to quickly WIn the hearts of the electorate because time of campaigning is against them – but let me advise you Mr. President it’s GOD who chose you to be the President of this Nation and people with whatever reasons they have, they will try to turnish your image because you are a GOOD LEADER – YES they will fight with thie mortal bodies but that will not change the PLANS of GOD which he has for Malawi.
    Let them castigate, insult, tarnish and even vomit evil words against you just forgive them for they know not what they are doing GOD WILL FIGHT THE WAR AGAINST THEM ON YOUR BEHALF. (This is the weapon of revenge just forgive & God will work on your behalf)
    I see no EVIL that can make these people be so hateful with you Mr. President other than the ACTION of the DEVIL. but he is the liar GOD is in control just put your TRUST in HIM.

  18. The came out in the press before the violence that your party in Zomba are organising and funding thugs then it happened. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out who the suspects are! Why don’t you instruct the police like u instructed them to arrest USA UTM facebook publicist. This aint the malawi we want as youth intimidation and politically motivated arrests. Surely not voting for such a party!! MCP or UTM save malawi #UTM

  20. Please avoid doubletalk. Raining tonnes of bricks is the honest side of the DPP not the crocodile tears on the DPP. Where is our beloved Dr George Chaponda? His house is stashed with cash just to conduct fast payments to the cadets? Stop the doublespeak no George Orwellian politics the police is the instrument of brutality in that way the DPP government has its name written in mud Malawi is replaying the Sembereka-Hajat days these torchings are DPP dishes the road to May 21 2019 is fraught with “landmines” Mangochi incident plus arrests are just a precursor

  21. Nyenga uyu!

    “He is a big khrook like John Tembo! Ziinthu zimachitika ali patali koma atapanga ndi iyeyo”- Bakili Muluzi.

  23. uku mukupanga condemn saying its against democratic principles kuseliku mukukamanga msuweni wanu chifukwa chopanga chisankho chandale chosemphana ndi chanu hahaha shame on you

  25. They are learning the violence from speeches by Peter Mutharika and his secretary General including Mchacha . In fact, it is the secretary General WA Jeffrey who orchestrated it. Wasn’t it Peter Mutharika himself who threatened Kaliati, Calista, and Chilima at a rally in Mzuzu.? Can Jeffrey Wa Jeffrey send the cadets to act viciously against political opponents without the blessing and consent of the president?

    What we are hearing now is a speech of regret from the president after championing violence and intimidation at the podium. He has failed to lead as the father of the nation and has let emotion envelop his reasoning.

    What is the difference between burning a politician’s vehicle and threatening to suffocate people’s right to dissenting views or criticism? Burning a vehicle in a political atmosphere is showing the owner of the vehicle through violent act that he or she can’t speak against the ruling party, whereas threatening an opposition politician with a preemptive preventative speech is also showing the opposing politician that he or she can’t speak against the ruling party or president. One is by physical action while the other is by word of mouth. Both are severe threats to human freedom and shouldn’t be allowed in a democratic Malawi. In short, the president has goofed – he was too temperamental in Mzuzu and laid a groundwork for political violence, he is to blame.

  27. This is what we call paying lip service. These terrorist were sent by DPP and talking about hate speech, why has it taken Mutharika 4 years to condemn hate speech when it has been the trademark of his party including himself. When the Mchachas and the Jefferys insult people in his presence what does he do?

  28. Thanks Mr President for the condemnation of violence although you know for sure that your party had a hand in Mangochi incident.

  29. Don’t fool Malawians Pitala. What happened in Mangochi is your making. Ask yourself where is Kamuzu now? What about Bingu? You will leave your DPP in hot soup. Walk the talk, behave like a Professor.

    2. wasting our time with apologies, its too late, too much damages have been done, the only thing that matters now is to redeem your name then maybe you name will be found in malawi history, what we want is all the stolen money back and all the thieves in prison BASI

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