Fighting in Aford worsens
AS fighting continues in the opposition Alliance for Democracy (Aford), unknown thugs over the weekend morning attacked deputy district chairperson of the party in Rumphi, Newton Harawa.
Speaking from his hospital bed on Sunday, Harawa said he suspects the assailants are Aford president Chakufwa Chihana’s sympathisers because during the attack, they accused him of supporting Karonga Central Constituency lawmaker Frank Mwenifumbo.
There have been cracks in Aford of late following Mwenifumbo’s announcement to challenge Chihana for the party presidency at the party’s convention.
The attack on Harawa comes few days after two of Chihana’s aides were arrested for assault and penalised by the court in Lilongwe after being found guilty of assaulting party general secretary Christopher Ritchie.
“I was on the way to my business place at Lura Trading Centre, when I saw a half-tonne pick-up coming in front of me. About eight people alighted from it and started attacking me with rods while asking why I am rallying behind Mwenifumbo,” said Harawa in a telephone interview.
Harawa, few days ago, was among some of Aford officials who petitioned Chihana, protesting postponement of the party’s elective convention from December this year to April 2018.
“I am being punished for standing by the constitution [of the party]. The mandate of the current National Executive Committee (Nec) expired in September, and it is only democratic for us to go to a convention,” Harawa said.
Meanwhile, the matter has been reported to Rumphi Police and Harawa is admitted to Livingstonia Mission Hospital.
When contacted, Chihana could not pick his mobile after several attempts but speaking to a community radio in Karonga over the weekend, he accused Harawa of staging the attack.
Aford National Campaign Director, Bowoyeke Munthali, defended Chihana in a separate interview and accused Mwenifumbo and Dan Msowoya of bringing confusion to the party.
“These are the very people who revolted against Chakufwa [Chihana], they have neither respect for rule of law nor party leadership. They do not wish the party well,” he said.
But Mwenifumbo yesterday said nothing would stop him from contesting for the party’s presidency, saying it is his constitutional right.
Commenting on developments in Aford recently, political analyst Joseph Chunga said Aford remains a weak party as evidenced by opinion in surveys and election results.
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