This
site is designed for Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator versions
4 and above and a screen resolution of at least 800x600
|
|
|
Gwanda, Tembo supporters clash
By
Gedion Munthali - 06-08-2002 |
|
|
Followers of MCP president Gwanda Chakuamba and those of his vice president John Tembo yesterday fought each other outside the High Court in Blantyre as police officers watched helplessly before they were chased away for failing to stop the fight.
The supporters accompanied the two rival leaders to court where Chakuamba is asking the court to commit to prison Tembo, party secretary general Kate Kainja, Central Region chair Betson Majoni and deputy administrative secretary Potiphar Chidaya for contempt of court.
Kainja, Chidaya and Majoni did not go to court yesterday.
The four leaders are accused of having disobeyed a court order restraining them from holding a party convention in Lilongwe on June 22 and 23 this year because it was not called by the party president as required by the party constitution.
Pandemonium broke out after Tembo supporters, as they chanted and sang praise songs for him, forced his car to stop and blocked Chakuamba’s convoy from driving out of the court premises after the case was adjourned to Monday next week.
Lawyer for Chakuamba Bazuka Mhango said in an interview Tembo’s lawyer Kalekeni Kaphale raised an objection before Justice Frank Kapanda in his chambers that he was served with new affidavits late last week and did not have enough time to prepare counter affidavits.
The tension that filled the court room as the two lawyers were away seeking Kapanda’s indulgence served as a premonition of unpleasant things to come. Tembo supporters occupied all seats in the two sitter courtroom. When Chakuamba arrived, court staff had to create room for him and his handful supporters to sit.
Tembo supporters kept giggling as Chakuamba walked towards his seat. Tembo himself, sitting cross-legged, kept reading a newspaper, unruffled. Twice, Chakuamba walked out to consult his lawyer. As he did this his supporters would stand up in his honour. Tembo supporters remained unconcerned.
When the two lawyers came back to announce the adjournment Tembo left the court first accompanied by hordes of his supporters including executive member, Damazio Shumba, Lilongwe chair for Women’s League Hilda Manjamkhosi, Lilongwe City South MP Sebastian Chikadza and Dedza North MP Alexander Jumbe.
Chakuamba and his group decided to take their time and when he finally left the court room in company of deputy treasurer general Stanley Masauli they failed to drive out as their way was blocked, forcing them to drive back to the court’s car park where they waited until Tembo and all his supporters had gone.
Meanwhile, Chakuamba loyalist Yohane Nkhoma in his late 50s was kicked to the ground in the heat of the moment as he tried to force Tembo supporters to disperse and give way to Chakuamba’s convoy. Some supporters who were beaten up turned their anger on police officers for idly watching while the drama unfolded.
MCP spokesman Nicholas Dausi said they (Chakuamba camp) had prior information that Tembo supporters would go to court and cause havoc to embarrass Chakuamba.
“We know of trucks carrying his supporters and vendors from places like Lilongwe and Dedza to cause violence here,” said Dausi. “That is why we told our supporters not to come because we did not want bloodshed.”
But spokesman for Tembo camp, Binton Kutsaira, disputed Dausi’s claims, saying all the supporters that escorted Tembo to court were from Blantyre.
“We did not even prepare for any violence at all. It is Chakuamba’s supporters who believe in violence. That is why they wanted to manhandle Tembo last time there was a case at the same court,” said Kutsaira.
|
|
|
|
|
|
