A political rally for UTM presidential candidate Dr. Dalitso Kabambe turned chaotic on Wednesday at Liwaladzi Trading Centre in Nkhotakota District, after his bodyguards violently assaulted a local youth, triggering retaliatory violence from community members.
According to eyewitnesses, the youth had been hurling insults at the Kabambe convoy as it entered the trading centre. Instead of allowing the police to handle the situation, Kabambe’s personal security dragged the youth away and beat him severely in full view of the public.
Outraged by the attack, relatives and area residents began stoning UTM supporters and campaign vehicles, leading to the situation escalating into a fierce fight between community members and Kabambe’s bodyguards who were being led by Calisto Matumbi.
The situation forced police to fire tear gas to quell the unrest. Despite the tension and visible anger in the crowd, Kabambe proceeded with his address under tight security.
The Malawi Police Service confirmed the incident but said no arrests have been made as investigations were underway.
This is not the first time Kabambe’s security detail has been at the centre of controversy.
In early July, during a visit to Chinkhoma Auction Floors in Kasungu, Kabambe, accompanied by his bodyguards, forcefully entered the premises through a restricted gate.
Auction Holdings Limited (AHL) officials and security personnel had blocked his entry due to a scheduled activity involving farmers, but Kabambe’s team reportedly pushed through in a move AHL later described as “unlawful and disorderly.”
The assault on one of the auction officials led to legal action, with AHL filing complaints to both the police and the Electoral Commission, accusing the presidential aspirant of violating public order and inciting violence.
Even more concerning was the July 24 incident at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), during the official presentation of nomination papers by Kabambe. Matumbi, who normally leads his security detail, was arrested on the spot after being found in possession of a gun, raising fears about the safety and conduct of individuals within his inner circle.
According to a senior police officer present at the time, the bodyguard could not produce a valid license or permit to carry the weapon, leading to his immediate detention.
The arrest overshadowed the event, with many questioning the increasing militarisation of Kabambe’s campaign.
Political analysts and civil society groups have begun sounding the alarm over what they describe as a “pattern of intolerance and violence” around Dr. Kabambe’s campaign.
“What we’re witnessing is worrying. When a presidential candidate’s bodyguards consistently show a disregard for law and order, it raises serious concerns about how such a leader would handle power if elected,” said a political analyst.
He added: “From Chinkhoma to BICC and now Nkhotakota, the common thread is the use of force where dialogue or restraint would have sufficed.”
Despite the trail of controversies, Dr. Kabambe has remained silent on the conduct of his bodyguards. During Wednesday’s rally, he made no mention of the incident and instead continued to outline his economic agenda, promising job creation and a return to “fiscal discipline.”
Sources within the UTM say Kabambe’s campaign is under pressure to assert strength and avoid appearing weak, particularly after internal conflicts over his ascendancy to the presidency of the party.
Critics argue that the candidate’s silence over repeated security breaches is emboldening his guards and alienating voters, especially in rural communities, where physical confrontation is considered a serious violation of social norms.
The Nkhotakota violence has renewed calls for political campaigns to be held with responsibility and civility, especially given the heightened political tensions and historical memories of violence in Malawi’s previous elections.
Youth organisations in the district are also demanding an apology and medical care for the victim beaten by Kabambe’s team, whom they say is still recovering from injuries.
“This is not what we want from those who seek to lead us. Dr. Kabambe must know that leadership is not about violence and intimidation. He should apologise and take responsibility,” said a local youth activist.
As Malawi edges closer to the September 16 polls, observers warn that unless such behaviour is condemned and addressed swiftly, it may set a dangerous precedent for the rest of the campaign season.
