Lazarus Chakwera says ready to die for Malawians

Tom Sangala October 3, 2017

313 1 minute read

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president, Lazarus Chakwera, has said the ruling Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) recent acts of terror will not stop him from criticising President Peter Mutharika’s administration for its “failure to improve people’s welfare”.

Chakwera said recent violent acts aim at blocking him from fighting for Malawians who, according to him, are facing difficulties in their livelihoods.

On his Facebook page on Sunday, Chakwera said that the attacks have become a trend, citing the Chiradzuru attacks in January on Chilembwe Day and the recent Gonapamuhanya fracas.

Chakwera said the DPP administration has adopted terrorism against the new and peaceful MCP as a strategy of invoking the history of violence in the old MCP which Malawians rejected in 1994.

“They [DPP] believe that Malawians are stupid enough to be deceived by these tactics, but we believe that Malawians across the country are wise enough to see these machinations for the terrorism that they are,” reads part of the post.

It continues: “If DPP leadership thinks these acts of terrorism will deter me from fighting for prosperity and peace of all Malawians for a permanent end to their government of corruption and cronyism, they are gravely mistaken.

“The cause of a just and prosperous nation for all Malawians is not only one I live for, but one for which I am also prepared, if need be, to die for, as it is written ‘none of these things move me’ for the Lord continues to deliver me from every evil act.”

However, DPP spokesperson, Francis Kasaila, accused MCP supporters of being behind the fracas, arguing they carried weapons which were used to beat DPP supporters.

In a statement released on Sunday, Kasaila argues that one of the DPP’s vehicle was smashed by MCP supporters.

But Chakwera’s post says DPP is deliberately distancing itself from the violence, despite Home Affairs Minister Grace Chiumia conceding and openly apologising to chiefs and Malawians.

Chakwera said it is sad that police officers just watched as he was being attacked during both incidents in Chiradzuru and Rumphi.

But one of the social commentators, Charles Kajoweka, has said it is illogical to blame MCP over the matter, arguing the event went on well soon after DPP cadets and women were chased from the event by the organisers.