MCP blames ‘volatile’ environment for Chakwera’s no show at Chilembwe Day
Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has said its president Lazarus Chakwera and his running mate Mohammed Sidik Mia had to return “a kilometre away” from at Providence Industrial Mission (PIM) headquarters in Chiradzulu, where the Chilembwe Day commemorations were held, following a tip-off from the party’s intelligence team that he would not be safe there.
MCP secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka said Chakwera was invited to the event, held on Tuesday January 15 in memory of Malawi’s principal Martyr Reverend John Chilembwe, but failed to attend the, citing a “volatile” environment at the venue.
“We had our security people on the ground. From yesterday [Monday], they were monitoring the situation there, to ensure there is no risk on Dr Chakwera’s life and anybody who would come with him.
“What surprised us was that there were Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cadets occupying all seats surrounding the two seats allocated to [Chakwera and his companion]. When our security people tried to reason with those in-charge of protocol, they refused to budge. Our security felt the situation was volatile and therefore, they advised [Chakwera] to return. At that time, we were just a kilometre away from PIM,” said Mkaka.
Mkaka also claimed that the church told the party that it had reserved 10 seats for Chakwera and his team but was surprised to learn from their security that State House only allocated two seats.
The MCP secretary general accused the DPP of politicising the national event.
PIM president Wilson Mitambo said he was surprised that Chakwera did not show up, saying Mkaka confirmed Chakwera’s attendance but did not communicate of his failure to attend.
Mitambo, however expressed disappointment with DPP party members for putting on their party regalia.
He said: “We communicated to all political parties which we invited that this is not a political event and that no one should wear party colours. But some DPP members did not listen, which is very unfortunate.”
Government set January 15 to commemorate the life of Chilembwe who was born in 1871 and died on February 3 1915.
During the commemorations, President Peter Mutharika led a selected contingent of people to lay wreaths on tombstones of martyrs who were part of Chilembwe’s uprising.
After Mutharika, the second on protocol to lay the wreaths was United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Muluzi, who is also Minister of Health in Mutharika’s Cabinet.
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asiye apite alomwe anzake , a chakwela osalimbaba nazo izi ndizalomwe ndamene aitanidwa kumeneko
M’mphechepeche mwa njobvu sapitamo kawiri. Chakwera was right not going to PIM because there was no security. Memories of last year are still fresh. Organisers should have ensured adequate safety measures.
I have always wondered whether Chilembwe day is a National event. The function is held at PIM year in and year out. Why can’t we have alternative venues?
Joyce Banda? Saulos Chilima? Were they there? Why should you pin point Chakwera? Mumafuna mukamuyalutse apumbwa inu. Well done for no show. What do you do for Kamuzu who developed 90% of the country through his visionary leadership. Only Bingu respected Kamuzu. Che Bakili wanted to substitute Kamuzu with Chilembwe. Bakili tops as the worst president in Malawi followed by Alamu Pumbwa Mwakula.
kkkkkkkkkk and people must really believe this chakwela’s nonsense of excuse? kkkkkkkk ayi ndithu, dzilipo dzitsiru zina zikukhulupilira. Komabe inu a Chakwera mwayesetsa ngakhale tikudziwa kuti simunasunthe malo omwe munakhala olo kusamba kukonzekera kupita ku mwambowu, koma bola kusiyana ndi a Chilima poopa manyazi athawira ku amerika akachindane ndi abiti manice kkkkk.
It clearly shows that Malawi’s next leader is Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
Well done Chakwera and Mia. You would have been Winikodi ( Kuona za Winiko) by now
Just abolish the Chilembwe day. Chilembwe WAS A SIMPLE REVEREND AND TEACHER who was fighting against a white farmer who tookover land of blacks without compensation.
Now it has come to my senses that those so rounding political presidents are the ones who destroy the image of the president’s attitudes. I am an MCP member who always want to analyse the truth of the events that bring negativeness to the minds of the peoplepeople around….eg, how can My President Chakwera fear to attend the National function of John ChilenbweChilenbwe which everyone knows that its for every Malawian’s citizen to commemorate just because his seat was sorounded by other people who were not his MCP members. I find it no logic in his senses as my president… Read more »
I tend to differ with Mr. Kaferazina. Right HON Chakwera was attached last year during the same function in Chiradzulu while they were leaving the podium after the State President has left. He was protected by his body guards and some got injured in the process. The security personnel of MCP were genuine because they sensed danger. DPP Cadets could do anything even if the State president is there.
Go back to your history: Chilembwe was not a Lomwe by tribe and even the name sounds chewa.His father was Mang’anga which a grouping of chewa pipo and his mother Nyangu was a Yao.Tsono ena mukamati Chakwera is tribalistic,ndimaseka heavy coz inu simungaone even dzina loti Chilembwe ndi mtundu was gule wamkulu!
Ask chewa pipo!So from now onwards,know that John Chilembwe was and will never be a lomwe kungoti DPP govt is busy trying kufufuta history, something which they can not manage to do!
The current DPP is a case study of what happens when you have a weak and useless leader at the helm of any organization. The followers and cadets just make up their own rules because there is silence from the leader who is busy taking his afternoon naps and reading Newsweek.
Hey Nero!! Stop fiddling for Gods sake, Rome is burning!