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PP attacked on flag hoisting
A national flag, a symbol of unity and oneness among Malawians, is flying side by side with that of the governing People’s Party (PP) in some roundabouts in Blantyre, a development some critics have condemned.
While a Chancellor College-based law expert argued there was no law that stops political parties from hoisting flags anywhere; opposition UDF and a human rights activist have condemned the practice, describing it as a demonstration that PP is failing to separate party and government business.
UDF secretary general Kandi Padambo and Institute of Policy Interaction (IPI) executive director Rafiq Hajat said in separate interviews yesterday politicians and government officials must always respect the division between party and State activities.
But Edge Kanyongolo, a professor of law at Chancellor College, said no law in Malawi prohibits political parties from hoisting flags anywhere in the country.
Kanyongolo, however, said the bottom line is whether the authorities may allow any other political party to hoist their flags in places the governing PP hoisted its flags and fly them side by side with the national flag.
Blantyre City Council chief executive officer (CEO) Ted Nandolo in an interview on Tuesday said PP requested to hoist their party flags in such places, hence were allowed.
Nandolo said the hoisting of PP flags coincided with hoisting of national flags by council workers to signify that President Joyce Banda is in the district.
The city council chief said any political party is allowed to hoist their flags in designated areas as long as they make a request to the council and are permitted to do so.
PP deputy publicity secretary Ken Msonda said they hoisted the party flags ahead of primary elections the party started holding from Sunday.
The national flags and PP flags were orderly put, placing a party flag after the national one, around the roundabouts.
But Padambo said the practice is unacceptable and urged the governing PP to separate government from party function.
“A party function must be confined to a party function, so too is State function. The national flag symbolises unity and oneness among Malawians, and if you fly them side by side with a party flag, it’s sending a different meaning,” Padambo said.
Hajat said the hoisting of PP flag side by side with the national flag was a visible demonstration that PP members have failed to draw a line between party and State business.
The activist said this has been the case from MCP, UDF and DPP regimes, and it was the reason the ruling parties have abused State resources.
“Our national flag should never be combined with party flags. This is what makes our politicians think they have all the right to State resources. Let us give the national flag the respect it deserves,” Hajat said.
Kanyongolo said he expected authorities such as city council to treat political parties equally, arguing a statement that the council could allow any party that approaches it to hoist their flags in such designated places was easier said than done.
UDF started all this madness. UDF is to blame for most of the bad things Malawi is facing.
How come BCA/ BCC removed that electronic one for MCP
Nandolo has serious problems. Suppose every party today wants to hoist their flags can he allow them. What could became our city. We he has nothing to worry looking at the rubbish in our cities.
Keep it up Ted
Zisamakomere mbuzi kugunda garu, this whole madness started with UDF then DPP
Why the noise this time, is it because PP is a party led by a female President.
More fire Ken Msonda, Chief defender of PP at the moment, I like your response, political but polite!
No law really does not mean its right to do some of these things.
Just because there is no Law against such practices doesn’t mean that its allowed.
such practices will do nothing but paint a bad publicity picture that the party owns the government and divide us a nation.
Which is wrong considering we call our sovereign country a republic where all are equal regardless of political affiliation and any creed. We are a Multicultural nation with diverse peoples and Multiparty democratic government system.
where the ruling party has been elected by the people with a vote of Confidence to create a government of the people that has the responsibility to the people and a duty to Serve and Protect Mother Malawi as a nation.
But we seem to be doing the opposite.