By Burnett Munthali
On Sunday, October 27th, 2024, Honourable Chimwemwe Chipungu took to his Facebook page to express his frustration and disbelief after his vehicle was allegedly attacked at a roadblock mounted at Mpingwe. In his post, Chipungu stated that the roadblock was marked with Malawi Congress Party (MCP) flags, and his car was smashed by what he referred to as “thugs.”
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator from Mchinji shared his disappointment, suggesting that the perpetrators had their own reasons for the attack. He wrote, “Zikomo for smashing my car for reasons known best to them thugs.”
Despite the incident, Chipungu maintained a tone of forgiveness, calling on divine intervention: “May God forgive them and those behind this plan.”
The post ended with a message of resilience and gratitude, as he signed off with “Regards, Chimwemwe” and the hashtag #DPPMchinjiRally, signaling that he remains committed to his political duties despite the setback.
The incident has sparked concerns about political violence and rising tensions between opposing parties as the country gears up for the 2025 general elections. Chipungu’s post comes at a time when political divisions between the MCP and DPP have been intensifying, with rallies and public demonstrations often turning into battlegrounds for supporters.
As of now, there has been no official statement from the MCP regarding the incident. However, the attack raises critical questions about the state of political tolerance in Malawi and the increasing use of violence as a tool for intimidation.
Many have taken to social media to offer support for Honourable Chipungu, condemning the violence and calling for an end to political thuggery, which threatens the country’s democratic principles.
This event adds to the growing list of politically motivated attacks that have alarmed both the public and political leaders in recent months. With the 2025 elections approaching, the country is now more than ever in need of dialogue and peaceful co-existence between political parties to prevent further violence.
The Malawi Police Service is yet to issue a statement on the alleged roadblock and the attack on Honourable Chipungu’s vehicle. As investigations continue, citizens will be watching closely to see whether justice is served and whether steps are taken to ensure the safety of politicians and citizens alike in the political arena.
