DPP, MCP trade barbs as they accuse each other of political violence

Main Opposition, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) have traded barbs, accusing each other of inciting and sponsoring political violence.

In a statement signed by party spokesperson Shadreck Namalomba, the DPP condemned the political violence which occurred moments before a political rally that was held by MCP senior officials in Bangwe in Blantyre.

Namalomba says the violence was an indication that the MCP wants to use violence to silence Malawians by, among other things, using its operatives to harass people holding opposing views.

Namalomba further condemned the Government for failing to take action on the perpetrators of the violence.

“It is sad that the violence happened in full view of the Minister of Homeland Security and there is nobody who has been arrested by the police.

“This is an indication that the MCP wants to take us back into the days of political attacks when innocent people were being attacked for no reason,” Namalomba said.

But MCP spokesperson Ezekiel Ching’oma accused the DPP if dragging the ruling party  into what the party says politics of name calling and mudslinging.

Ching’oma said the MCP has never been involved in political violence since the dawn of multiparty democracy.

“MCP is a party that follows the rule of law.

“Any issues of violence, which hinges on breaking the law, are left in the hands of police and other law enforcement agencies to handle,” he said.

Ching’oma said associating the MCP  with the recent political violence if which he said the party was not  even aware of is trying to score cheap political gains as there is no evidence linking those who allegedly perpetrated the violence to MCP.

Ching’oma reminded the DPP of atrocities committed by the former ruling party when it was in power which he said included the brutal killing of polytechnic student Robert Chasowa and the assault of those deemed critical of the DPP leadership as well as the opposition.