CCAP BT Synod Tells DPP Cadets to Keep Violence Out of Church

The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Blantyre Synod moderator, Right Reverend Missie Kananji Spiki, has urged the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to stop political violence in the church following an attack by suspected DPP cadets on opposition leaders.

The incident occurred at Henry Henderson Institute (HHI) in Blantyre on Sunday, where the synod held its 150th anniversary thanksgiving service.

Spiki made the call in her speech at HHI, saying the church should remain a place of worship rather than political confrontations.

“The church should not be a place where political party cadres should be fighting. Let people attend service of worship and return home peacefully,” she said.

The violence occurred at the entrance to HHI as opposition officials arrived for the anniversary celebrations.

The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) reported that four vehicles were stoned during the incident.

MCP southern region publicity secretary Enphraim Banda said one of the affected vehicles belonged to campaign director Moses Kunkuyu.

Meanwhile, MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila said convoys belonging to her, Kunkuyu and Kelvin Mpekansambo were affected.

She added that the party had reported the matter to police and called for increased security for its leaders and members.

However, DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba denied his party’s involvement, suggesting that internal divisions within the MCP could be behind the violence.

“We do not have any business with them. I mean, why should DPP attack them? They need to check within their party,” he said.

Blantyre Police Officer-in-Charge Davie Chilalire said former president Lazarus Chakwera’s convoy was not stoned, explaining that it had already entered the church premises when the reported violence occurred.

Police have launched an investigation into the reported damage to vehicles.

According to NationOnline, Nation Publications Limited photojournalist Francis Chamasowa and Transworld Radio journalist Francis Nkawihe were also manhandled after taking pictures of the confrontation.

The attackers reportedly ordered them to delete the images.

Chakwera attended the thanksgiving service with his wife, Monica, while Foreign Affairs Minister George Chaponda represented President Peter Mutharika at the celebrations.