Guest Spot

‘I cannot perpetrate violence’

Mwenifumbo: I am a hardworker
Mwenifumbo: I am a hardworker

Since 2009 general elections, Karonga Central has seen a number of violence cases and some fingers have pointed at Frank Mwenifumbo and his political rivals. Our Reporter Edwin Nyirongo asks Mwenifumbo to shed more light on claims that he has played a role in perpetrating violence

 

Q

There have been a number of scuffles in Karonga Central and fingers point at you and your rivals. What is happening there?

A

Firstly, I must say that it’s a very big shame that our names are being highlighted at national level as the most violent people, not only in Karonga but the rest of Malawi. I have not heard about violence in any constituency apart from Karonga Central. It’s a shame. I am ashamed and I cannot bury my head in the sand when all is not well out there.

I have been in politics long enough. Even during the days of Aford [Alliance for Democracy]. I was a Member of Parliament from 1999 to 2009 in the very Karonga Central Constituency that is now featuring as the most violent place in Malawi. There was no violence during my time as an MP. During the time, there were many contenders but nothing happened. The question should be: why violence this time?

 

QThen what is the problem?

A

The problem starts with us; me and my rivals. May be, we have portrayed to the people that politics is about physical rivalry. I mean in the way we behave or talk to our followers.  By saying this, I am not making confessions that I am a violent person. I am a Christian. From the time I was a child; I went to Sunday school, did catechumenal classes and graduated as a Christian. And I know that there is nowhere in Christian life that violence is condoned. Therefore, the spirit of violence does not exist in me and I don’t have history of violence anywhere. So whether in business or politics, I put God first.

 

Q

But some people are claiming that the violence has culminated because you lost your seat and you are bitter. Are you bitter?

A

I would have been bitter if I derived my life in politics. Before I joined politics, I was a very successful businessperson and I still am. Politics is just in my blood. I worked closely with people such as Aleke Banda, Dumbo Lemani, Chakufwa Chihana, Ziliro Chibambo and others to bring multiparty democracy into the country. I was not doing that to become an MP because I didn’t know then what it meant. I am in politics because I have history. I am in politics out of conviction, not convenience.

 

Q

We hear that some houses were damaged in Karonga Central last Friday because of this rivalry. What do you know about this?

A

What I know is that somebody from Ngosi Village had his kitchen burnt. I mean his kitchen, not the main house and I can facilitate that journalists should go to the scene. So, whether this was staged or not, I do not condone any form of violence in politics. It should not be allowed. I am praying that journalists should go there and establish circumstances surrounding the incident.

Again it’s unfair for leaders to rush to the press to claim that so and so has committed a crime before an independent body, such as the police, has verified.

 

QA traditional leader from your area called for calm between you and your rival Dr Cornelius Mwalwanda, have you taken heed of that advice?

A

I would have loved if I and Dr Mwalwanda were called for counselling together.

Secondly, as members of the executive committee of the People’s Party (PP), I and Dr Mwalwanda were summoned by the secretary general (SG) the moment the issue about violence in Karonga Central came out. We were counselled and after that we shook hands. And when we joined the PP, the President, through the then secretary general (Dr Henry Chibwana) told us that violence is not condoned in the party.

 

QYou shook hands after the meeting, but there will be primary elections soon. Don’t you foresee violence returning?

A

We have taken some measures to make sure that violence does not happen again, not only in Karonga Central but across the country. However, what we have noted is that whoever comes to PP brings committees. The district chairperson is the right person to identify committees and it is only what he says that is accepted.

 

Q

Some people are saying that PP is favouring you. What do you say to this?

A

Edwin, people who know me, whether in politics or business, would tell you that I work hard. I belong to a class of hard workers and when I am given a task to do, I do it with all my strength, heart and conviction. So, if you want to be favoured, be a hard worker.

 

Q

Are you contesting  in 2014?

 

A

I am standing and I made it known to chiefs who have endorsed me. About winning, let’s wait for the ballot to speak.

 

Q

What will happen if you lose?

 

A

I will accept, just like I accepted in 2004 when Dr Mwalwanda won.

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