MCP youth exchange blows, Kamata fired

Youths belonging to main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) fought in Lilongwe yesterday as the party called fresh elections in its Southern Region Committee embroiled in squabbles.

During the news briefing at MCP headquarters in Lilongwe, the party announced the dismissal of director of elections Henry Kamata.

However, as the news conference was in progress, a group of party youths fought outside the venue over internal disagreements.

Journalists were chased from reporting on the violence which saw an unnamed drivers for party president Lazarus Chakwera beaten up.

Blood spots could be seen on the driver’s clothes while party officials pleaded with some of the youth who temporarily blocked the entrance to the headquarters.

However, MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila played down the fighting among the youth as a small in-house matter.

She said: “It’s calm and they have ceased whatever they were doing. We are busy with funeral arrangements of one of our loyal members, so I will find out later what caused the disagreements. But it’s a small matter.”

Kamata was not present at the news conference and party officials described the decision as normal and part of post-election posturing.

Kamata, who is now deputy director for political affairs, has since been replaced by lawmaker Maxwell Thyolani.

Kabwila insisted the changes are normal: “It is part of our restrategising for 2019. We are very determined to return to power. The changes in the NEC [national executive committee] are ongoing and very normal.”

Thyolani said elections for the Southern Region Committee will be held on June 20. He also said the Northern and Central region committees would hold their elections at dates to be announced later