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Nyasa Times learnt that UTM will hold a candlelight memorial service in Chikangawa, Mzimba Province tomorrow, but this is apparently a deliberate move by the party to coincide with the July 6 celebrations in order to divert public attention from the main celebrations taking place at BICC in Lilongwe on the same day.
Sources within the UTM told us that the celebrations were sponsored by several bigwigs from the opposition parties as well as some UTM ministers, including Labour Minister Agness Nyalonje and Tourism Minister Vera Kamtukule.
In an interview, highly placed sources told Nyasa Times that there was a deep division within the UTM Central Executive Committee over the appointment of Michael Usi as Vice Chairman and it was this division that led to all these parallel developments.
“There is a team within UTM, led by Njawala, Khwesi Msusa and Penjani Kalua aka Fredokiss. This team does not accept Usi as the vice president, hence they decided to oppose and obstruct every move made by the government in the name of the party. However, most of the top leaders are happy with Usi,” the source said.
The source added that the team that played against Usi was the one behind tomorrow’s Chikangawa event.
“So, their aim is to divert public attention from the main celebrations on July 6 at BICC, which will be attended by President Lazarus Chakwera and his deputy, Ussi. They want to make a big splash at the event and splash their words across all media,” the source explained.
According to Chihaula Shaba, one of the organizers, all those attending the event will be provided with free food as the celebration will continue till midnight. It is also reported that major media outlets have been approached to cover the event live.
Meanwhile, the chiefs in Mzimba have rejected an invitation from UTM to attend the event. In an interview with one chief, he said it would be pointless for UTM to hold a parallel event as there is already an official event.
“We are aware that the President has ordered that there will be no celebrations this year but only commemorations focusing on prayers for the late Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others. I had thought that UTM would be the first to participate in the event. Why are parallel events being held on the same day? As a chief in Mzimba and several other chiefs, we have declined their invitation. We are attending the prayer event in Lilongwe,” he said.
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