President Peter Mutharika Sunday departed from outbursts that characterised his recent speeches to a general call for people to continue supporting his administration.
In his speech in Ntcheu District during the groundbreaking ceremony of Ntcheu-Tsangano-Neno- Mwanza Road, Mutharika carefully selected words, as he was trying to refer to opponents within Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
He did not make a direct reference to the recent announcement by Vice- President Saulos Chilima that he would not contest for any position at the DPP elective convention set for this month.
“You have to support the DPP government. We have always received support from the people of Ntcheu. In 2006, you supported us. In 2012, you were with us and, in 2014, we won seven parliamentary seats. We have come a long way. In 2019 [presidential election], I will contest. That will continue up to 2024 and from 2024 to 2084,” Mutharika said.
Chilima, who is from Ntcheu, announced plans to leave DPP last week.
In the course of Mutharika’s speech, some women interjected with a song in which they were saying some people would run away from the ruling party.
However, while Mutharika was still delivering his speech, some women started leaving the venue of the meeting, prompting him to ask why they were going away.
The President said the country is still discussing with Mozambique on the Shire Zambezi Waterway Project that could connect Malawi to the Indian Ocean and the rest of the world.
But he hinted that there is pessimism on the part of the Mozambican government on implementation of the project, which was initiated by his elder brother, the late Bingu wa Mutharika.
“Rwanda is ready, Zambia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe are ready for the project but our friends in Mozambique are still pessimistic about it [the project] but we are still talking so that the project comes to fruition,” Mutharika said.
Mutharika said opening of the Nsanje World Inland Port would help Malawi meet its socio-economic aspirations.
“The Shire Zambezi Waterway Project will connect the country to the rest of the world thereby increasing [levels of] trade between our country and others,” he said.
Mutharika added that an improved transport system is key to socio-economic development, pledging his government’s commitment to connect all areas of the country through the construction of roads.
However, DPP secretary general, Grezeldar Jeffrey, hit at religious leaders who apparently meddle in politics.
“When we are disagreeing, it should be you [religious leaders] who should be advising us. But it is a pity that some of you are doing the opposite. Find us on the ground and we should tussle. We have to respect our political leaders, just as we do with our religious leaders,” Jeffrey said.
In what was a clear response to concerns over Mutharika’s usage of the word, ndikunyenyaninyenyani [I will crush you], Jeffrey made a clarification.
“When the President says ndikunyenyaninyenyani, he means he will do that through votes in 2019. It means that DPP and its President will win the elections. I, therefore, urge the church to preach peace,” she said.
During a farewell ceremony of Form Four students at Providence Secondary School over the weekend, Episcopal Conference of Malawi Chairperson, Archbishop of Blantyre Thomas Msusa, criticised the use of the word ndikunyenyaninyenyani.
Malawi Defence Force has been contracted to construct the road, which is set to be completed in 12 months’ time.
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