Chakwera’s convoy was not stoned, Police say

Blantyre Police Officer-in-Charge Davie Chilalire says former president Lazarus Chakwera’s convoy was not stoned during violence that erupted at the entrance to the CCAP Blantyre Synod premises at HHI on Sunday.

Chilalire said police received a report that a vehicle had been attacked, but the incident happened after Chakwera’s vehicles had already entered the premises for the Synod’s 150th anniversary thanksgiving service.

He said police had launched an investigation into the matter.

However, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Jessie Kabwila confirmed to The Nation that vehicles belonging to her, party campaign director Moses Kunkuyu and Kelvin Mpekansambo were damaged during the incident.

MCP regional publicity secretary for the South, Enphraim Banda, said four vehicles were stoned, including one belonging to Kunkuyu.

The violence erupted as opposition figures arrived for the anniversary service, with suspected Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supporters reportedly confronting them at the entrance to the church premises.

Journalists covering the incident were also targeted. According to Nation Online, Nation Publications Limited photojournalist Francis Chamasowa and Transworld Radio journalist Francis Nkawihe were manhandled after taking pictures of the confrontations.

The attackers reportedly ordered the journalists to delete the pictures, forcing them to comply for their own safety.

The incident happened in the presence of police officers, who did not intervene.

Chakwera attended the thanksgiving service with his wife, Monica, alongside government officials and other dignitaries.

Foreign Affairs Minister George Chaponda represented President Peter Mutharika at the celebrations, which marked 150 years since the establishment of the CCAP Blantyre Synod.