2024 a year of MCP youths in masks armed with pangas in full view of police officers
By Vincent Gunde
Leader of Opposition in Parliament Right Honorable Dr. George Chaponda has described 2024 as a year of darkness, marked by tragic loss, suffering, and a consistent failure of leadership at every level of government.
Chaponda said the loss of Vice President Dr. Saulosi Chilima and eight others, in a tragic accident in Chikangawa forest on 10th June, 2024 has left a deep scar on the nation, saying their passing was a moment of profound sorrow.
He said the commission of inquiry instituted to investigate circumstances surrounding the death of Dr. Chilima and eight others, has been a farce rather than bringing justice or answers to the families of the victims and to the Malawian people, it has only served to deepen the sense of betrayal.
Writing in a statement reflecting on the 2024 year, Dr. Chaponda said Malawians cannot and will not accept a hollow exercise that ignores the truth and dismisses the legitimate questions that arise from such a loss saying the people of Malawi deserve transparency and accountability.
Dr. Chaponda said the year 2024 has been defined by a series of failures in leadership that have touched every aspect of the citizens lives saying the country is grappling with severe shortages of forex, fuel, essential medicines in hospitals, among others.
He said these crises have left the economy in a state of stagnation, people are struggling to meet their most basic needs and the country’s health system is on the brink of collapse.
The Leader of Opposition said 2024 has been the disastrous implementation of the Affordable Input Programme (AIP) which have mired in inefficiency, corruption, and poor planning saying the current food insecurity is a direct result of systemic, mismanagement and the inability of the country’s leadership to deliver on promises.
Dr. Chaponda said the NRB and Mec have been sources of grave concern throughout the year saying their activities have been marked by a lack of transparency, raising serious questions about their intentions observing that these institutions are being manipulated to interfere with the integrity of the forthcoming elections.
He said the 2024 has been a year the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has shown Malawians their true colors in terms of human rights, Malawians have seen MCP youths in masks armed with pangas collaborating with the Malawi Police Service (MPS) officers to suppress innocent Malawians exercising their peaceful demonstrations.
“The Malawi Police Service (MPS) Inspector General Madam Yolamu remains in office despite failing to provide the security the citizens deserve,” reads the statement in part.
Dr. Chaponda has finally urged Malawians that the year 2024 be of “enough is enough” and let the year 2025 be the year of accountability, of progress, and of renewed commitment to the people of Malawi.
