UTM Party claims witnesses attack
UTM Party has said two of its witnesses in the presidential election nullification petition case are living in fear following attacks and threats from people suspected to be governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members.
A statement issued on Monday, signed by UTM Party spokesperson Joseph Chidanti Malunga states that the two, Darlington Ndasauka and Miriam Gwalidi, have been attacked by the DPP members in their homes in Blantyre.
Reads the statement in part: “On January 4 2020, some DPP members went to the house of Darlington Ndasauka, one of the UTM Party witnesses, and injured his wife and went away with a few items including a laptop and money while Ndasauka was away. The thieves promised another attack until they find Ndasauka personally.”
It further says the same happened with Gwalidi on December 25, 2019 when she was visited by a known DPP party functionary who hurled insults and vulgar diatribe outside her house.
“The [DPP] member vowed that their camp will soon deal with her for being a UTM Party witness. They only left when one of Gwalidi’s neighbours intervened,” it reads.
Chidanti Malunga confirmed the development in an interview, saying the issue has been reported to police.
“We reported the matter to Limbe Police Station a day after the incident,” he said.
However, DPP spokesperson Nicholas Dausi, who is also Minister of Homeland Security, distanced his party from the attacks.
“DPP members cannot do that. Some people pretend to be DPP members just to dent the party’s image,” he said.
National Police spokesperson James Kadadzera said his office has not received any report related to the issue.
He said: “It is good that they have reported the matter to us. We will investigate and ensure that everyone is protected,” he said.
Daudi Suleman, a witness for Malawi Congress Party (MCP), also complained to the Constitutional Court in Lilongwe that he was receiving threats from some unknown people. UTM Party and MCP are co-petitioners in the presidential election case whose ruling is expected any day now.
