POLITICAL VIOLENCE: Police net three more
By Yohane Symon
Mangochi police have arrested three men who are alleged to be masterminds of violent acts that ensued during primary elections which governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) conducted in Mangochi-West on Sunday.
The arrests come days after DPP spokesperson, Nicholas Dausi, speaking during a whistle-stop tour of Blantyre on Sunday, dismissed reports linking the party’s cadets to violence, following the recent attack on two UTM followers in Mangochi District, Mulanje-South legislator Bon Kalindo in Mulanje and Malawi Congress Party supporter Edward Govati in Blantyre.
Eastern Region Police spokesperson, Joseph Sauka, Tuesday identified the suspects as 29-year-old Gift Chikwamba, Adam Mtenje, 19, and Adidya Ntenje whose age has not been established.
All the latest suspects are from Chilimba Village, Traditional Authority Nankumba, in Mangochi District, where other people are also on remand in connection with the attack on UTM followers, including a woman they stripped half-naked.
Sauka said the police investigated the incident after receiving a complaint from the election’s presiding officer, Aaron Sangala.
“It is true that we have arrested the three people in connection with the violence which happened during the primary elections in Mangochi- West. As police, we will do our work professionally so as to ensure that electoral processes are peaceful,” he said.
The two, according to Sauka, have been charged with counts of malicious damage and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The development comes also after some DPP supporters disrupted the primary elections.
The supporters also damaged two vehicles belonging to Sangala and incumbent legislator Geoffrey Chiwondo.
The supporters are also suspected to have assaulted DPP district governor for Mangochi, Monkey Golden Chirwa, who is being accused of mishandling the elections. Chirwa denies the allegations.
DPP held primary elections in all constituencies in Mangochi. However, chaos characterised the polls, with aspiring candidates disagreeing on issues of electoral colleges.
Meanwhile, DPP is expected to announce official results of all the elections today.
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