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Scores of UDF Young Democrats (YDs) and party women in Karonga fought over money President Bakili Muluzi dished out to them to share during the official opening of the Karonga/Chilumba/Chiweta road on Thursday.
The fracas started just after Muluzi left the venue of the ceremony, Nyungwe Primary School, and after the party’s Northern Region treasurer, William Chinula handed over the money in envelopes to the group’s leaders.
Earlier, UDF regional governor for the North, Wyson Mkochi read out names of groups the President had given “a little something for soap”.
It all started when Young Democrats from Karonga (UDF) South District, who benefited from the handouts, mobbed the district’s women’s chair, Sabina Nhlane, demanding that she should immediately release all the money she was keeping.
According to Sanderson Ng’ambi and Biton Mhango, two of the ‘aggrieved’ young democrats, the youngsters were bitter that every time Muluzi gives them money through the district committee, they get very little of it.
“Just imagine, she is claiming that she was given MK15,000 for us, yet we know the real sum is MK30, 000. That is why we want her here to explain to us,” said Ng’ambi.
But before Nhlane started explaining to them, the young democrats snatched the envelope from her and shared the money.
But not satisfied with how the money had been shared out, both women and the youngsters started fighting forcing some of them to seek refuge in nearby houses.
Police just looked on as the youngsters and women fought. Meanwhile, those who did not get anything from the loot started pelting the ones who shared the money threatening to break doors of the house where Nhlane, who had since gone hiding, was taking refuge.
Efforts to talk to Nhlane failed, but Gloria Singini, who was in the house with her, said it was unfortunate that the young democrats behaved that way saying her friend had not taken any penny tambala from the Muluzi money.
Deputy district secretary Karonga South, Spriano Mweniwalo concurred with her, saying the President gave out K15,000 for the young democrats in the district and K30,000 for UDF young democrat’s committee as well as Aford youth wing.
The party’s regional treasurer, William Chinula, in an interview condemned the violence saying there are some misguided youths who do not appreciate the kind gesture of the President.
He said the young democrats do not trust each other which frustrates the good gesture from the President to assist them,” said Chinula.
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