Livingstonia synod cautions government on security lapse

Tom Sangala March 24, 2016

234 2 minutes read

The Livingstonia Synod of Church of Central Africa Presbytery (CCAP) has for the first time come out in the open to caution the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government on the security stats of the country saying it is the worst since the dawn of multiparty democracy.

The synod also says the current administration is the poorest in terms of incorporating opposition political parties’ advice in running the affairs of government; a development said to be against the wish of the majority of Malawians.

Synod moderator Reverend Douglas Chipofya told The Daily Times yesterday that Malawians are living in fear because of poor security both in rural areas and towns.

Chipofya also cited the recent incident in Mzuzu during a political rally organised by Malawi Congress Party, also attended by Alliance for Democracy and People’s Party leaders, where panga wielding thugs caused problems.

“As synod we want to condemn this government for failing to provide security to its citizens since it went into power. Our children living with albinism are easily killed under the leadership of DPP. People are burnt to ashes and old people killed after being suspected of practising witchcraft in the Southern Region. Property is stolen anyhow. Why are these things happening now? Where is the leadership?” he queried.

He then wondered why people hacked each other with pangas at the MCP rally at Chibavi while the police unit is just 300 metres away from the venue.

Chipofya then said the church body is surprised that Lazarus Chakwera was not provided with security at the rally despite the fact that he is part of government as a Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly.

“When he (Mutharika) is holding a rally the police come as early as 6 am to the venue yet the meeting starts in the afternoon. The ministers are accompanied by not less than 10 police officers when they are conducting their meetings. Why didn’t they deploy atleast two officers at MCP, PP and Aford rally? Should officers be entitled only to DPP officials?” Questioned Chipofya.

However government spokesperson Jappie Mhango said the synod’s leadership is going too far arguing the synod is not an expert in security matters.

“Let them concentrate on preaching not just commenting on everything. Are they experts in economy, security and all things, we are saying this because they always comment on anything even [things] that do not concern the church. Our police officers are always professional and people are secured in the country. Let them know that during Kamuzu Banda regime there were few people and that is why security was good. Can we compare with the population now?” Questioned Mhango.

But, Political Analyst Bonface Dulani concurred with the synod arguing that the DPP government is selective in providing security.

Dulani said the current situation might affect their performance in the 2019 elections arguing that the last elections showed that Malawians do not forget bad governance.

“This is a warning to DPP that things are not going well in the country. People cannot be hacked while police officers are close to them. In Political Science we say ‘Social Obligation’ meaning government through police was supposed to provide security to its citizens and failure to do that, means the administration has failed,” said Dulani.