NAP demands probe into attack on Chakwera's convoy

✓ Police say only one vehicle was damaged
✓ MCP’s claim that four vehicles were affected
✓ DPP denies involvement, blames alleged internal divisions within MCP.
✓ NAP condemns reported violence against journalists and calls for accountability.

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

Relentless human rights campaigner, the National Advocacy Platform (NAP) has called for an immediate investigation into reports of an attack on former President Lazarus Chakwera’s convoy at Henry Henderson Institute (HHI) in Blantyre during celebrations marking 150 years of the CCAP Blantyre Synod.

The governance advocacy grouping has condemned the reported violence, arguing that such incidents threaten human dignity, political tolerance, press freedom and the constitutional foundations of Malawi’s democracy.

In a statement signed by its Chairperson, Benedicto Kondowe, and National Coordinator, Baxton Nkhoma, NAP said the incident should not be tolerated in a democratic society.

“These acts represent a grave assault on human dignity, political tolerance, press freedom and the constitutional foundations of our democracy,” reads part of the statement.

The organisation has also condemned reports that journalists from Nation Publications Limited and Transworld Radio were manhandled and forced to delete photographs documenting the incident.

NAP believes journalists must be allowed to carry out their professional duties without intimidation, particularly when covering events of national importance.

The incident has since triggered conflicting accounts from the police and political parties over the number of vehicles damaged and the circumstances surrounding the reported attack.

In his remarks, Blantyre Police Officer-in-Charge Davie Chalaile has contradicted claims by the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) that four vehicles belonging to Chakwera’s entourage were damaged during the incident.

Speaking to Capital FM, Chalaile said only one vehicle had been damaged, adding that all vehicles belonging to the former president were in good condition.

“Currently, I am at the place where the former president’s vehicles are parked, but none of them has been damaged,” Chalaile said.

When asked about MCP’s claim that four vehicles had been damaged, the police officer maintained that only one vehicle was affected.

“Ah! Only one has been damaged. It is just one vehicle,” he said.

Chalaile added that he was still at the scene, where police officers were continuing with their duties.

The police account differs from MCP’s version of events, with the opposition party maintaining that four vehicles were damaged during the reported attack.

The conflicting accounts have raised questions about the extent of the damage and the circumstances surrounding the incident, making an impartial investigation necessary to establish the facts.

Meanwhile, the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has distanced itself from allegations that its sympathisers were behind the reported attack.

DPP spokesperson Dr Shadric Namalomba dismissed the accusations, questioning why his party would target the opposition.

“We do not have any business with them. I mean, why should DPP attack them? They need to check within their party,” Namalomba said.

He instead attributed the incident to alleged internal divisions within MCP, suggesting that the party’s ongoing leadership wrangles could be linked to the reported violence.

However, Namalomba did not provide evidence establishing that internal MCP divisions were responsible for the incident.

The DPP’s response follows allegations by MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila, who accused suspected DPP sympathisers of attacking vehicles belonging to the former president and other party officials.

The exchange has further heightened political tensions, with the two parties offering conflicting explanations of what happened at HHI.

Speaking during a press briefing in Blantyre, MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila alleged that Chakwera’s entourage was attacked by suspected thugs as it arrived at the venue for the CCAP Blantyre Synod’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

Kabwila said the party believed the incident was politically motivated and had reported the matter to the police for investigation.

“We believe this is orchestrated by the DPP, and we have reported the incident to the police for action,” she said.

The MCP spokesperson also called for increased security for the party’s leadership and members, expressing concern over their safety.