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

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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President Mkango Lion Manthakanjenjemereza
President Mkango Lion Manthakanjenjemereza
5 years ago

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.

Namalomba Fredrick
Namalomba Fredrick
5 years ago

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… Read more »

ndadabwa
5 years ago

m’mesa iwe peter ndamene umayambitsa kutukwana. ndiye ukunena ziti. zopusa. uona ufa ndo high blood pressure

LEGO
5 years ago

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.

Gembe
Gembe
5 years ago

Njalatu izi pumbwa waonda uyu mwati simaganizo akumudya thupi mkuluyu….

Nzika ya Malawi
Nzika ya Malawi
5 years ago

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?

Hetherwick
Hetherwick
5 years ago

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.

Mc Adams Mbewe
Mc Adams Mbewe
5 years ago

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

Galumtsukwa
Galumtsukwa
5 years ago
Reply to  Mc Adams Mbewe

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,,

My Name is Salim
My Name is Salim
5 years ago

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… Read more »

Hard Truth
Hard Truth
5 years ago

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.

Chimwemwe
Chimwemwe
5 years ago

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

Samuel
Samuel
5 years ago

Amalankhula yekha Pitalayo. Tionetseni videoyo mukuopa chiani

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