PEFENAP denies being part of pro-DPP NGOs

By Richard Chirombo

Peoples Federation for National Peace and Development (PEFENAP) says, while it is part of the organisations that initiated formation of the NGO Peace Forum, it is not part of the forum's decision to openly back the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

This follows sentiments from NGO Peace Forum's Chairperson, Billy Ng'ombe, who revealed this week that as many as 40 NGOs had joined forces to back the DPP, citing various development initiatives the party's presidential torch-bearer Bingu wa Mutharika has carried out in his capacity as Malawi president.

Ng'ombe said, while it was the duty of NGOs to act as a watch dog to policy makers, it was also part of their responsibility to congratulate where due, hence the decision to openly campaign for the DPP.

"We have agreed to support Bingu's candidature and we are not changing anything onn that," said Ng'ombe, revealing that Pefenap was part of the forum and, consequently, decision.

But Edward Chaka, Pefenap executive director, said in an interview Ng'ombe did not consult him on the issue and that the decision was made unilaterally.

"We are not part of this; we are a non-partisan NGO working for the better of Malawians and peace. How does the decision to support one party over the many contestants we have promote peace?" queried Chaka.

He said PEFENAP was in the process of suing Ng'ombe for damages, as the development had spilled dust on the credibility of his organisation.

"This is too bad, as you know that the mother NGOs body, Council for Non-Governmental Organisations, threatened to act against the forum members even without hearing their side of the story. But we have since resolved the issue with CONGOMA, having talked to the chairperson, Rev. Sembereka," said Chaka.He said PEFENAP  would continue to be a non-partisan organisation.