Muluzi Convoy Stoned

A convoy carrying former president Bakili Muluzi was yesterday stoned somewhere around Goliati where he was scheduled to talk to supporters on a whistle stop to Mulanje.

 

UDF Alliance Publicist Humphrey Mvula confirmed the attack but said Muluzi escaped unhurt.

"It was a few lead vehicles that were damaged but his was not, fortunately," he said.

 

Coincidentally, Goliati is the home of President Bingu wa Mutharika.

Mvula alleged it was supporters of Mutharika's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) that attacked the convoy,

But DPP spokesperson Hetherwick Ntaba dubbed the allegations UDF tricks.

 

The incident comes two days after a convoy carrying Mutharika was stoned in Lilongwe.

Mutharika's convoy was attacked Saturday afternoon at Nathenje by students of Double Vision Private School as he was on a whistle stop tour from Blantyre.

 

Following the incident, the police moved in to arrest two teaches and four students. While the teachers were released the same day, the students were still in custody until Monday.

 

Muluzi, nonetheless, proceeded to hold a rally in Mulanje.

But reacting to DPP connection, Ntaba said in an interview the party would make its position clear after investigations.

 

"But what I can say is that DPP is not a violent party and that should be on put on record. We know UDF tricks. They can put on DPP T- shirts and deliberately stone their own vehicle" he said.

Southern REGION Police spokesperson Davie Chingwalu said he was not officially informed of the incident.

 

"Apart from that, the police were not aware that the former president is conducting a whistle stop tour, not even the DC in Thyolo " he said.

Muluzi first stopped at Bvumbwe and Goliati was supposed to be his second stop, Muluzi is supporting MCP Presidential candidate John Tembo in the Tuesday elections.

 

Source: Daily Times, April 13, 2009