PAC, MLS condemn political violence
The Public Affairs Committee (PAC), Malawi Law Society (MLS) and UTM Party have separately expressed dismay at the rise of political violence in the country.
The two organisations and political party said the attack on Mulanje South legislator Bon Kalindo in Mulanje on Wednesday and failure by the leader of opposition Lazarus Chakwera to attend Reverend John Chilembwe memorial service over security concerns was unfortunate.
They observed that the incidents would render the May 19 Tripartite Elections not to be free and fair, which may lead to undesirable outcomes.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, co-signed by PAC chairperson Reverend Dr. Felix Chingota and spokesperson Father Peter Mulomole, the quasi-religious grouping observed that the continued cases of political violence on individuals who take different views within and outside political parties is a sign of panic as the country approaches the elections.
Reads the statement in part: “The beating of Hon. Bon Kalindo confirms that political violence will be one of the survival mechanisms in the 2019 race. PAC strongly condemns the beating of Kalindo, whether it was perpetrated by the opposition or governing party.”
And in its statement issued yesterday, signed by its honorary secretary Martha Kaukonde, MLS says it is alarmed with news that Kalindo was assaulted by political opponents at Mulanje District Council office and the security threats of Chakwera in Chiradzulu.
PAC and MLS have since urged law enforcers to swiftly deal with the perpetrators in an objective manner and asked Malawians to desist from violence to ensure peace and unity in the country.
Kalindo on Wednesday morning claimed he was assaulted by some people he believed were governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters.
He said he was invited by Mulanje District Council to a budget meeting where he was also expected to handover two police units he constructed in his constituency.
Later the same day, UTM Party held a press briefing in Blantyre where they condemned the attack and gave police 24 hours to arrest the perpetrators.
In an interview yesterday, National Police spokesperson James Kadadzera said police have not yet arrested anyone in connection to Kalindo’s attack. n
