MCP MP accused of provoking DPP
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) legislator Amon Nkhata has denied reports that he was beaten by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) youth cadets in Kasungu.
According to DPP secretary general Greizedar Jeffrey, Nkhata was allegedly beaten up at Tunthuwala in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kawamba in Kasungu West Constituency after allegedly provoking the party’s members.
But in an interview, while confirming his presence at the scene, the MCP parliamentarian feigned ignorance of the incident, describing it as “fabrication and mere propaganda.”
The DPP secretary general was in the area to present a donation from President Peter Mutharika to a family that had reportedly requested him for financial help to buy goats.
Jeffrey claimed to The Nation yesterday that some DPP youths slapped Nkhata after he turned up at the venue, claiming he wanted to greet the crowd.
The secretary general explained that after he was smacked he sensed danger and drove away.
“He saw the women in our DPP colours and also knew that the party’s secretary general was coming to address a meeting there. He deliberately provoked the situation, this was not even his constituency but after stopping he started saying kwacha [MCP slogan] to the gathering,” she said.
Jeffrey also alleged that Nkhata had directed some youths to block the road leading to the venue of the meeting with a tree, a claim Nkhata rubbished.
Added Jeffrey: “Actually, he was fortunate because there were only two youths who slapped him; otherwise, if others had decided to descend on him he would have been hurt.”
But Nkhata said: “That is not true. I just greeted the people because I was passing by going to my village, which is beyond the venue of the meeting, to cheer a critically ill brother.
“I didn’t even meet her [Jeffrey]. I went to cheer my sick brother who is in very critical condition and I am surprised where all this is coming from and you are not the first to call me. But I know it is pure propaganda. For me, I am okay, right now I am at home, I am not at the hospital.”
When contacted Kasungu Police spokesperson Edna Mzingwitsa said she could not comment as the matter had not yet been reported to her office
Last month, DPP and MCP supporters engaged in ugly scenes of violence during memorial prayers for Reverend John Chilembwe at the Providence Industrial Mission (PIM) in Chiradzulu.
