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| National |
| Church gives UDF ultimatum |
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by
Mabvuto Banda, 11 December 2003
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08:47:48
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Blantyre Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod has petitioned the ruling United Democratic Front national chairman President Bakili Muluzi and his secretary general to apologise by December 17 or face litigation for disrupting a church service and destroying vehicles in the Southern Region district of Machinga Sunday.
The petition, which was written after the leaders of the synod met on Monday this week, demands that UDF punishes Robson Jangiya, MP for Machinga Likwenu, alleged to have masterminded the assault on the church.
“In view of the above we would like to lodge this formal complaint and appeal to your office to take punitive action against Hon. Jangiya. He is a menace to community, the CCAP Church and a total disgrace to the UDF,” the petition reads in part.
Signed by secretary general Daniel Gunya and his Moderator Rev Macdonald Kadawati, the church demands that Muluzi and the secretary general assure the church that it will continue to conduct normal church services without fear of UDF functionaries, to accept responsibility for the damage on the vehicles and compensate the church.
“If the above actions are not done by December 17, 2003, we will take the following steps: write a circular letter to be read in all CCAP churches in the Southern Region forewarning them to be on alert with Young Democrats who have resorted to attacks during worship, advise Christian members not to vote for Jangiya, prosecute Jangiya for his actions and finally liaise with other synods countrywide to strategise for other joint actions,” reads the petition.
UDF secretary general Kennedy Makwangwala on Wednesday said he had not yet received the petition for him to competently comment on the matter..
“I was talking to my secretary today in the morning and she did not tell me anything concerning the letter. When I get hold of it, that’s when I will be able to comment and give our side,” Makwangwala said.
Last month a UDF aspirant in Machinga Likwenu Dave Ngulinga was a victim of Jangiya’s terror machine when his supporters were beaten when he tried to hold a rally at Msosa. A house belonging to his supporter was burnt down and Ngulinga’s car was smashed by supporters from the sitting MP Jangiya.
“No decisive action has been taken by the police and UDF against Hon. Jangiya inspite of the overwhelming evidence against him. He is clearly flouting the clear directives from the UDF’s national chairman against violence and he is destroying the party image,” said the Church.
Jangiya immediately after the incidence distanced himself from the fracas saying that he only heard about it because he was in the same area that day.
During the fracas that ensued, worshippers to the fund-raising service which included National Democratic Alliance leader Brown Mpinganjira, managed to apprehend three of the Young Democrats who said that Jangiya gave them K200 ($1.85) to attack the Church. They were handed over to police for action.
On Wednesday public relations officers at police headquarters in the Capital Lilongwe could not be reached to comment on whether any progress has been made on the matter. The officers were attending a workshop at Lilongwe Hotel.
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