Political parties have called for issue-based politics following violence that occurred on Sunday at Nselema Trading Centre in Machinga, where people stoned a vehicle carrying Malawi Congress Party (MCP) members.
The members were on their way to a political rally at Senior Chief Nyambi Headquarters in the district.
In separate statements yesterday, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), United Democratic Front (UDF) and UTM Party condemned the acts of violence and have urged the police to take action on all unresolved cases of violence.
issue-based politics. | Nation
DPP publicity secretary Shadric Namalomba said in a statement: “Let us return to issue-based politics. Debate policies, not personalities. The DPP remains committed to a peaceful campaign, focusing on solutions to poverty, unemployment, and infrastructure rather than divisive gaps.”
On its part, UTM said it cannot allow democracy to be derailed by acts of violence that divide Malawians and push the country backward.
Meanwhile, National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya said in a statement yesterday that victims of the attacks sustained varying degrees of injuries and were treated as outpatients at Ntaja Health Centre and Machinga District Hospital.
He added that four motor vehicles, including one belonging to the police and another to MCP members, were damaged.
Kalaya said: “The service has already arrested one suspect, 30-year-old Lanjesi Mkwanda, and its officers are on the ground to arrest more as it continues to analyse evidence gathered at the crime scene.”
The incident has occurred at a time when parties have intensified political rallies ahead of the September 16 2025 General Election in which Malawians will elect a President, 229 members of Parliament and 509 ward councillors.
Speaking during a political rally on Sunday at Nyungwe in Karonga, MCP secretary-general Richard Chimwendo Banda also condemned the brutality.
He said: “We strongly condemn what happened in Machinga District. We are in a democratic dispensation; therefore, as we are heading towards the elections, let every political party freely campaign in every district.”
Commenting on the matter yesterday, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation executive director Michael Kaiyatsa advised political leaders to desist from divisive and inflammatory rhetoric.
“This fuels violence and deepens political tensions,” he said.
Political analyst Wonderful Mkhutche said the government has to intervene by using the law.
He said: “Anyone caught engaging in violence on either side of the political divide must face the law. Furthermore, party leaders have to call on their supporters to desist from violence.”
In January this year, three female supporters of the governing MCP were harassed, beaten, and undressed in Ndirande, Blantyre.
Violent incidents also occurred in Lilongwe last year where, on two occasions, panga-wielding men foiled demonstrations organised by civil society organisations and opposition political parties.
Previously, opposition parties had also been attacked at Mbowe Service Station and Msundwe in Lilongwe, as well as Mponela in Dowa, among other incidents.
