Mpinganjira, Maulidi booed at Mutharika’s inauguration
Three officials of former ruling People’s Party (PP), Brown Mpinganjira, Paul Maulidi and Peter Tchupa had embarrassing moments of their political career when they were tormented with boos at President Peter Mutharika’s inauguration ceremony at Kamuzu stadium in Blantyre.
Mpinganjira, who is PP’s vice-president for the southern province accompanied by the party’s general secretary, Paul Maulidi and an executive official Peter Tchupa were derided by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters who had turned up to witness the second-coming to power of the once mighty party.
Although it’s not known if they were officially invited but the three were among some of the PP officials who wore a brave face to turn up at the event, which their leader and the country’s former-president, Joyce Banda declined to attend.
It was embarrassing moments and a heavy load for the three to bear when they denied seats at the VIP table; instead they were forced to squeeze themselves among DPP women who sat close to the fence covering the pitch.
But the jeering were too loud and tormenting to contain as Mpinganjira and his party-mates involuntary decided to abandon the function before it even reached the highpoint.
And it was worse scenario when the DPP supporters especially the Youth Cadets started toying with the three, pulling their jackets while chanting abuses.
Surprisingly, the scenario was different for former president Bakili Muluzi who proved to be a darling of many as DPP supporters cheered him up when was leaving the stadium after the function.
They chanted “Atcheya! Atcheya!” as Muluzi smiled and waved with loud cheers and whistling echoed through the stadium.
PP spokesman Ken Msonda however sat quietly behind DPP supporters.
The inauguration was a colourful affair, featuring live music, traditional dances, a 21-gun salute and fly-overs by military helicopters and jets.
