UTM Party officials on Wednesday had to fire in the air to disperse a group of about 200 nyau dancers to make way for party president Dalitso Kabambe’s whistle-stop rally at Chilobwe in Lilongwe District.
The area is home to incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) torchbearer, and also where Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) last week declared Lawrence Chakakala Chaziya of MCP as winner in the parliamentary race, going unopposed.
While the UTM Party grappled with the nyau dancers who had flooded the venue, MCP member Hetherwick Ntaba, speaking in the presence of Chakwera at Nyanja in Lilongwe, asked the President to allow MCP youth ‘kutsina [pinch]’ those insulting the President.
In an interview yesterday, UTM Party spokesperson Felix Njawala said the nyau dancers injured the party’s governor, a Mr Nkhosa, while several party followers and prospective rally attendees fled the place.
He said: “Our governor had already been injured at Chilobwe; he went to police to report, but they refused to give him a report, so he went to the hospital to be treated. We called several senior police officers, none showed up.
“I then led a team to clear the path. The thugs blocked my car, so I shot in the air 13 times, to scare them. If police don’t protect us, what should we do then?”
Njawala said he also called Chaziya to ask the thugs to pave the way for their rally.
Chaziya confirmed speaking with Njawala, but dismissed assertions that the nyau crew was bent at causing havoc.
“The nyau were simply practising because today [yesterday] the President will be in the area and this is his home. Why would we attack UTM, a party that failed even to feature a parliamentary candidate,” he said.
But an expert in legislative and electoral politics Gift Sambo from the University of Malawi (Unima) said recurrence of violence indicates that Malawi has more work to deepen democracy.
He said: “Despite the country adopting a liberal democratic constitution, it appears that the majority of the citizens remain trapped in the illiberal political culture reminiscent of the one party authoritarian regime.
“The legitimate law enforcement agents are in a better position to handle such issues than civilians. The police should therefore be proactive in their approach. This is a delicate phase of the electoral cycle.”
In a separate interview, private-practice lawyer Benedicto Kondowe, who also chairs Civil Society Elections Integrity Forum, said no political grouping owns a territory, adding that creating artificial boundaries undermines democracy.
Ntaba blamed too
When contacted yesterday, Ntaba said his remarks on pinching Chakwera’s critics were not meant to incite violence.
He said: “In the Bible Jesus got angry and whipped those who were trading in the church. Some people are taking advantage of Chakwera’s calmness to continuously insult him, they have gone beyond reason and deserve consequences.
“By kutsina, I meant a gentle physical persuasion. I didn’t say let’s beat them up.”
But Sambo condemned Ntaba, saying any sentiment that involves violence whether explicitly or figuratively should not be condoned.
“Leaders should refrain from using pejorative language, symbols or figures that could ignite violence,” he said.
On his part, Political Science Association spokesperson Mabvuto Bamusi said Ntaba has incited the youth: “His statement contravenes the Election Code of Conduct, therefore the law needs to take its course. Ntaba needs to be disciplined.”
Meanwhile, National Police spokesperson Peter Kalaya has confirmed receipt of the Chilobwe incident report and said police were investigating the matter.
“We are looking into the matter, but let me also urge all players in the electoral process to ensure that they follow all relevant laws and foster peace,” he said.
Malawi heads to the polls on September 16 2025, when people will be expected to elect a President, members of Parliament and ward councillors.
