Terror in Mangochi ahead of Chilima rally: UTM vehicles torched by political thugs

Two vehicles belonging to United Transformation Movement (UTM) have been torched in lakeshore district of  Mangochi ahead of its Eastern Region launch on Sunday by vice-president Saulos Chilima.

UTM spokesperson Joseph  Chidanti Malunga has confirmed about the violence, saying it’s true the party has lost two vehicles to suspected  political thugs belonging to the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Earlier reports indicated  that DPP had organised thugs to attack the movement.

Malunga was however quick to connect speeches from the ruling leaders to the attack party.

“You are aware that Malawi leader forewarned us to be careful because he will drop  tonne of brick on us. In our interpretation, we think this is what he meant,” said Malunga.

Malunga said a single cabin vehicle  was burnt  around  9PM on Saturday  while the double cabin vehicle was torched down in the early hours of  Sunday.

“This is typical of DPP. They are scared of a fair contest in 2019. We are confident of  brining the change Malawians can trust despite the threats, attacks and intimidation,” he added.

Malunga said UTM is a peace-loving party and  condemn in the strongest terms these acts of wanton violence that were unleashed on them.

DPP spokesperson Nicholas Dausi  and secretary general Grezelder Jeffrey, in a telephone interviews, denied their party’s involvements.

Dausi said it  is criminal matter and they should go and complain to the police.

The UTM launch in Mangochi is scheduled at St Augustine III Primary School ground.

The east and southern political region is feared will be  a hotbed of political violence in 2019 polls.