In what could be termed as careless use of position and influence, a senior Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Leonard Chimbanga has called on supporters of the party to bring more than 200 pangas to the Friday “peaceful” demonstrations as efforts to deal with anyone who would attempt to stop the protests.
The call posted on his Facebook page is threatening escalate the tension ahead of a planned demonstration with a likelihood of attacks on law enforcement agencies such as the Malawi Police Service and the Malawi Defence Force.
Chimbanga, a youthful Councilor from Blantyre Soche East and outspoken DPP figure, publicly declared an all-out war.
Chimbanga’s inflammatory remark on social media confirms the fears that despite claims from DPP Vice President for the central region Alfred Gangata that the marches will be peaceful, the party is up to no good and is set to bring chaos and anarchy in the country.
The demonstration, scheduled for July 4 across major towns including Lilongwe and Mzuzu, have been mobilised by Gangata, who described it as a “peaceful expression of citizens’ plight”.
But Chimbanga’s ultimatums and details which are now being shared by Gangata supporters called supporter “not to hesitate to use violence if vendors interfere” shattering any pretense of non-violence and sparking widespread alarm.
Lilongwe street vendors and market traders, whose livelihoods have repeatedly been disrupted during past demonstrations, have formed ad-hoc vigilante groups in anticipation of Friday’s event.
“We’ve been losing too much during these demonstrations,” said businessman Shaibu Ajussa, who also expressed concerns that the protests are being staged without considerations that school children are sitting for examinations.
Civil society organisations have joined calls to postpone the demonstrations also raising concerns over the ongoing Form 2) examinations.
The Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC) on Tuesday visited Gangata and appealed to him and the DPP to cancel the demonstrations to protect students’ welfare.
“These demonstrations have severe consequences. Past protests have prompted exam cancellations, traumatized learners, and deepened educational inequalities,” said Benedicto Kondowe, CSEC’s Executive Director.
Chimbanga’s call for pangas is deeply unsettling but not surprising, echoing the DPP’s past when youth wings perambulated cities brandishing pangas. Notably, in July 2011, before nationwide anti-government protests, several DPP vehicles roamed Blantyre streets with “machete-wielding cadets,” resulting in bloody attacks and assaults on innocent people.
The 2011 clashes cost 20 lives, triggered violent civil unrest.
Focused Minds & People-Driven Initiative (FMPDI) have decried the demonstrations as a political provocation masquerading as civic action.
FMPDI Executive Director Fredrick Billy Malata said: “Using CSOs as tools for political manipulation undermines their credibility and endangers the safety of Malawians. Demonstrations should not be political weapons.”
Similarly, despite Gangata’s public assurances of peacefulness, leaked communications and Chimbanga’s social posts tell a different story.
Recognizing the risk, the Lilongwe District Commissioner (DC) summoned Gangata to a meeting Wednesday, together with the Malawi Police Service, to establish clear safety protocols for the rally.
Police presence is expected throughout the day on Friday, but civil society leaders warn that policing is not sufficient. School officials and parent groups are mobilizing to ensure the MSCE exams proceed undisturbed.
Friday’s event forms part of a series of tension-filled moves by the DPP as Malawi heads toward the September 16 polls. The DPP’s strategy include provoking government and security personnel under the guise of civic protest so that the country is thrown into chaos and anarchy ahead of the elections.
Gangata’s invocation of “war” rhetoric and Chimbanga’s machete call place the country on edge at a time when calm is critical for credible elections.
THE PANGOLIN SAYS
Malawians now face a defining moment: will their democracy be tested by orchestrated chaos from above?
With Form 2 MSCE students unprepared to navigate intimidation, and ordinary traders bracing for losses, both security institutions and civil society must act decisively.
In all essence the demands from Gangata are not clear. There is need for him and DPP to clarify their messaging and priorities. It does not help anyone that we talk of peaceful demonstrations while on the other hand we are mobilizing for unprovoked “war”.
Chimbanga’s panga knives warning is not a simple rhetoric. This has to be taken seriously by law enforcers before it is too late. Chimbanga must be investigated and deterred through legal means.
It is time that the State and all its security organs must prioritize the fate of learners and community livelihoods over political drama.
These demonstrations have long ceased to be an expression of civic grievance, they have become a flashpoint. If Chimbanga’s machete call goes unchecked, it could unleash violence with irreversible consequences, reopening wounds from 2011 and endangering the fragile peace during an electoral year.
Lastly, Malawians cannot afford to be passive spectators. The repercussions of Friday’s demonstration will reverberate in every sector, education, security, commerce, and the very soul of our democracy.
It is time to decide: are we building a country governed by the rule of law, or one held hostage by machete men and political posturing?
