By Burnett Munthali
The Vice President of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for the Central Region, Alfred Gangata, has alleged that police informed him that individuals who torched a DPP vehicle in Mponela, Dowa, were armed.
Speaking during a press conference at Page House in Mangochi District, Gangata said the incident occurred during a DPP political engagement in the area.
He claimed that the attackers had guns, which escalated the level of threat faced by DPP members at the scene.
According to Gangata, the situation became so tense that Norman Chisale, the party’s National Youth Director, had to fire warning shots in an attempt to disperse the armed crowd.
Despite Chisale’s intervention, Gangata said the efforts to save the vehicle were unsuccessful as it was completely burned.
He expressed disappointment with the level of violence being directed at the opposition and urged authorities to act decisively to protect democratic freedoms.
Gangata concluded by calling for an investigation into the incident and demanded that justice be served to deter future acts of political violence.
