Ethnic group Mulhako wa Alhomwe says the establishment remains apolitical with no intention or mandate to influence President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s decisions or interfere in matters of governance.
The organisation has retaliated on its stance in a statement distancing itself from a purported statement that alleged that the group is positioning itself to consolidate political power and influence appointments in the newly-elected Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration.
Reads the statement in part: “It has come to our attention that some scandalous individuals are circulating a fake statement purporting to represent the position of Mulhako wa Alhomwe.
“We strongly warn those behind this malicious act to desist from dragging the name of Mulhako wa Alhomwe into partisan politics. This is a calculated attempt to tarnish the image of the board and the Lhomwe community, and it must be condemned in the strongest terms.”
The statement stated that Mulhako wa Alhomwe remains committed to promoting unity, culture and heritage, in line with its founding principles.
It has also urged Malawians and stakeholders to treat the circulating statement as fake and to always rely on official communication from the organisation’s leadership.
Speaking in a separate interview, Mulhako wa Alhomwe board chairperson Muchanakwaye Mpuluka said, as a cultural group, they hold no influence in appointing anyone in any government position.
“Government appointments are the responsibility of those who were elected by the people and those who are chosen by the presidency. We are a cultural group and will always be there regardless of who is in power, whether DPP or otherwise,” he said.
Mpuluka said such kind of conduct has the potential of earning them a bad name with the leadership of DPP which does not subscribe to the notion that the party belongs to a particular tribe.
He said: “My understanding is that this is an alliance government with other political parties’ part to it. Do we want to say that these other parties also have connections with Mulhako wa Alhomwe? We need to all rise above this petty thinking.”
Social commentator Wonderful Mkhutche said cultural groups such as Mulhako wa Alhomwe need to exist within the cultural lane since their purpose of existence is different to that of political establishments.
He said with the reformation that DPP has promised, people do not expect to see Mulhako wa Alhomwe being involved in any political dealings.
Mkhutche said: “Let us thrive to build one Malawi nation where everyone will feel a sense of belongingness. We should equally share the little we have. We need to emphasise on things that unite us and not divide us.”
