Chimwendo Banda denies inciting violence
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) National Director of Youth, Richard Chimwendo Banda, has denied having made remarks inciting violence saying another video clip that is circulating on social media suggesting that he made such statements has been distorted.
There is a video clip circulating following a political rally which Chimwendo Banda addressed at Mponela, Dowa District, on Saturday when he said MCP was looking forward to the outcome of the presidential election case.
He further said MCP leader Lazarus Chakwera does not accept the outcome of May 21 presidential election; hence, his decision to petition the constitutional court on the matter.
“There is another video clip which has been edited out leaving out what I actually said at the rally. What I said was that our supporters should come to MCP headquarters on the day the court would deliver its ruling. If you listen carefully, I said Malawians have a right to follow proceedings of the court from any place apart from the court.
“I also urged the people to respect the rule of law and the police. I further said Chakwera never accepted that Peter Mutharika won the presidential election. I do not think that there is anything wrong with that because that is the basis of the court case anyway,” the Dowa East legislator said.
Chakwera and UTM leader Saulos Chilima challenged the outcome of the election results and the court is expected to make its ruling soon following the conclusion of hearing and filing of final submissions.
Mathews Kasanda is a journalist who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from University of Malawi (The Polytechnic).
In 2015, Media Institute of Southern Africa awarded him the Best Print Media Education Journalist of the Year accolade.
He joined Times Group Newsroom in September 2019.
