MCTU boss vows never to return to Mangochi

Malawi Congress of Trade Union (MCTU) president Chauluka Muwake has vowed never to return to Mangochi, saying he feels unwanted in the district.

Muwake, who is also primary education adviser (PEA) for Masongola Education Zone in Namwera, had his property removed from his official residence in the district last Friday as disgruntled community wanted him out of the area due to what it described as his poor leadership. He was at the time away in Zimbabwe on MCTU business.

Speaking from an undisclosed location for the first time after the incident, Muwake described what happened as embarrassing and a threat to his life and that of his family.

“I am not going back because what happened was embarrassing and threatened my existence and that of my family. Up to now, I am failing to come up to terms with what happened,” said Muwake.

The community wrote a petition accusing him of, among other things, allowing double shift learning which is making pupils fail to attend madrasah.

But Muwake has dismissed the charges levelled against him as mere fabrications and would respond to them later.

“There is no truth in what was written in the petition. I will respond to them at an opportune time because I cannot respond in the media. For example, how can I be an enemy of Islam or Yaos now when I have stayed in Mangochi for many years?” wondered the PEA.

He insisted that he would not reveal his location for security reasons, but that his family moved to Thyolo. He said he is waiting for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to relocate him.

Spokesperson for the ministry, Rebecca Phwitiko, said on Thursday she needed more time to find out about the progress of the matter.

Meanwhile, Mangochi Police say no-one has been arrested in connection with the incident, particularly the destruction of Muwake’s property.

“What happened was like mob justice, but as police, we are still investigating the matter,” said Mangochi Police spokesperson Rodrick Maida.