By Vincent Gunde
A losing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) primary elections candidate for Kasungu South constituency Joseph Manguluti, has urged Mec, Malawi Police Service (MPS), Public Affairs Committee (PAC) and all electoral stakeholders to take a proactive role in ensuring a peaceful electoral environment.
Manguluti has called on these institutions to intensify civic education, monitor political violence and hold perpetrators accountable encouraging all to come together as Malawians to promote peace, and unity saying free, fair and credible elections are only possible in a climate of peace.
Writing in a statement dated 20th May, 2025, Manguluti who is a shadow Member of Parliament for Kasungu South, says in just the past 4 days, two individuals in the constituency have suffered brutal assaults for simply associating with development initiatives.
Manguluti has claimed that these vicious attacks have led to severe injuries including the loss of teeth, and mark a dangerous trend that must be urgently addressed as the nation is preparing for the general elections scheduled for the 16th September, 2025.
He has condemned these acts of political violence being perpetrated by misguided youths allegedly sponsored by some sitting Members of Parliament (MPs) saying political violence has no place in a democratic society.
The Shadow MP says every citizen has the constitutional right to support a political party or leader of their choice without fear, intimidation and mutual respect calling on all political actors to conduct their campaigns peacefully and respectfully.
“No political party, including the ruling party should interfere with the constitutional rights of Malawians,” reads Manguluti’s statement in part.
Reacting to this, a Malawi Congress Party (MCP) diehard of Mvera in Dowa district Mr. Rodgers Kamphangala, has condemned in strongest terms possible sitting MPs who are sponsoring misguided youth inciting violence to advance in their political agendas.
Kamphangala has described these sitting MPs as failed leaders urging the constituents not to give them votes and instead vote for shadow MPs like Manguluti into office for their constituencies to register meaningful developments.
He said it is very sad that these sponsored youths after terrorizing and hacking members of the opposition parties, they have turned against themselves in the same party-MCP advising the MCP to take care and support the victims including the ones who have lost teeth in Kasungu South.
“Let the MCP be held accountable for the political violence in Kasungu South constituency, the party must ensure that those injured have been taken care of with necessary treatment,” said Kamphangala.
He has finally advised Shadow parliamentarian for Kasungu South to prepare a list of those who were injured including those who have lost teeth to the MCP headquarters in Lilongwe for the party to decide what best it can do to them being MCP supporters.
