Paramount Chief Kyungu of Karonga has expressed disappointment with continued political violence in Karonga Central Constituency, saying it is bringing discomfort to the people.
Kyungu was speaking during a meeting he held at Karonga Boma with traditional leaders from the said constituency to find long-lasting solutions to the political violence that erupted immediately after People’s Party (PP) provincial governor for the North , rank Mwenifumbo, lost to deputy minister of Finance Dr. Cornelius Mwalwanda in the primary elections held last Saturday., December 21.
After the primary elections, Mwenifumbo conceded defeat and pledged to support Mwalwanda.
He also promised to convince his supporters to rally behind Mwalwanda to bring peace and stability in the area.
Chief Kyungu expressed surprise that soon after the elections, violence erupted in the constituency.
“Why should supporters embark on violent acts while the ones that were competing have reconciled? This is quite surprising. Who is behind that?’’ wondered the chief.
He asked police not to spare violence instigators in the area. He also asked chiefs in the affected areas to report to police perpetrators of violence so that they face the law.
On his part, Mwalwanda, who was in attendance at the meeting, said he and Mwenifumbo are working together and asked their supporters to do the same.
Speaking at the same meeting, officer-in- charge for Karonga Police Foster Mangani said since violence erupted on Saturday, police have arrested 10 people—all males aged between 14 and 24.
“Soon after the [primary] elections, some people blocked the road with logs and stones and five were arrested in connection with that. On Sunday, other people partly destroyed someone’s house and five were also apprehended,” Mangani explained.
He asked chiefs to cooperate with police to effectively crackdown on violence in the constituency, adding that law enforcers will use all resources at their disposal to stop unruly political cadres.
With the exception of Karonga Constituency, PP primary elections were conducted peacefully and freely in other constituencies of the district.
