MCP pleads for tolerance after Ndirande political violence
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has condemned recent acts of violence in Ndirande Township, Blantyre where its three female supporters were harassed, beaten, and undressed on Wednesday.
Following the incident, senior MCP officials held a meeting with Ndirande residents to promote peace and address the tensions.
Among the officials were Minister of Higher Education and MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila, Minister of Home Affairs Ezekiel Ching’oma, and the party’s director of youth Steven Malondera who also said they wanted to comfort the women.

Speaking during the engagement, Kabwila urged Ndirande residents to reject being used by politicians and emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence.
She said: “We believe the opposition parties organised this attack to intimidate us because they know they have no chance in the upcoming general elections.
“However, such actions have only strengthened our resolve to engage more with areas in Ndirande.”
The minister further condemned violence in politics, adding that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been fuelling violence.
She cited a recent political rally where a DPP official allegedly incited violence against MCP supporters.
“As MCP members let us remain peaceful and avoid retaliating. We must be agents of peace and show leadership even if we are provoked,” she said.
Echoing her sentiments, Ching’oma highlighted the need for political tolerance and assured residents of government support.
He said: “As a party, we encourage our supporters not to fear attending MCP rallies. My ministry also urges the youth to resist being used by politicians for violent purposes. Let us learn to live peacefully, even have different political parties.”
However, DPP spokesperson Shadreck Namalomba told The Nation on Wednesday that his party was not responsible for the attacks on the MCP women and called on the Malawi Police Service to act swiftly and apprehend the perpetrators, including arresting the panga-wielding hooligans who foiled peaceful demonstrators in Lilongwe last year.
He said: “The perpetrators must swiftly be apprehended, just as we expect for those responsible for the hacking of DPP members in Mponela, Mbowe, and Lilongwe Community ground.”
“DPP does not condone any form of lawlessness. Despite MCP’s attempt to shift blame onto the DPP, we are not responsible for these acts.”
One of the victims, Ruth Munlo, appealed for respect among supporters of different parties, emphasising that not everyone will support the same political party.
“People should respect each other’s political choices. We can coexist without resorting to violence,” she said.