Diocese condemns Karonga Central violence

Karonga Diocese of the Catholic Church has condemned lawlessness in Karonga Central Constituency, which continues to witness scenes of violence.

The fighting in Karonga Central is a result of political differences between People’s Party (PP) candidate Cornelius Mwalwanda and former PP deputy secretary general Frank Mwenefumbo. Besides there is also a chieftaincy wrangle of Traditional Authority (T/A) Kilupula.

In a pastoral letter dated May 11 2014 signed by Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of the diocese, the church calls on warring parties to find a lasting solution to the problems in the area.

“Karonga Central Constituency is fast sinking into a lawless society where violence, fear, maiming each other, destruction of property, defamation and crookedness are becoming the way of living and doing politics.

“In T/A Kilupula’s area, we continue hearing of houses being destroyed, foodstuff being looted, elderly women being undressed in front of their children and grandchildren and, in November 2013, the house of one of the contenders to the throne was destroyed and his property looted,” reads part of the letter.

The letter points out that the problems in the district are not natural disasters like floods and earthquakes but artificial. It also urges people of the two areas not to be intimidated but go and vote for the president, parliamentarian and councillor of their choice on May 20.

In T/A Kilupula, two chiefs were installed with one being supported by government while the other by locals.

There has been rivalry in Karonga Central dating back to 2009 when Mwalwanda expressed interest to stand as MP of the area while the then ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) backed Mwenefumbo. Mwalwanda stood as an independent candidate and won.

Currently, Mwenefumbo has decided to stand as an independent after losing to Mwalwanda in PP primaries.