DPP, MCP tear into each other
DPP regional governor for the North Christopher Mzomera Ngwira has hit at MCP, accusing it of advancing tribalism as evidenced by composition of President Lazarus Chakwera first Tonse Alliance government Cabinet.
But Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has trashed Ngwira’s claims, saying MCP did not have influence on the appointments, arguing Chakwera himself has defended his selection that “he chose those people on merit to represent the country, and not regions, districts or tribes”.
Speaking during a press briefing in Mzuzu on Friday, Ngwira whose party was criticised for being nepotistic and tribalistic when it was in government, said MCP is repeating the same things that Malawians have been fighting against.
“The cake is not a national cake as promised, but a cake for MCP. We are afraid that we will suffer even more under the MCP government. Instead of impressing, MCP has clearly shown that it is tribalistic,” said Ngwira.
He also accused the new government of rewarding people that funded MCP.
“This Cabinet is all about who contributed to the MCP campaign. I see only hands of MCP in it. I doubt if the Tonse Alliance leaders endorsed this,” he said.
He added: “To make matters worse, they are now trying to suppress the media through such appointments. Some of the media houses will now be compromised because of the appointments. This is trying to silence the people. The media is the mouth-piece for the voiceless.”
But in reaction to Ngwira’s claims, MCP spokesperson, the Reverend Maurice Munthali hit back at DPP as a party that promoted tribalism, “and that is why people voted it out”.
“The new government is putting an end to that. Positions are being based on merit and let the people work and see their performance. The good part is that the President has emphasised that the Cabinet will be reporting to the public. Everyone will be held accountable and judged based on their performance,” said Munthali.
He asked DPP to concentrate on its opposition business, and let Chakwera lead the country.
