(NYASATIMES) Deputy minister warn chiefs

Deputy minister warn chiefs
Marcus Zimtambira 16 February, 2009 03:55:00

Deputy Industry and Trade Minister, Ellock Maotcha Banda, on Saturday warned pro-opposition chiefs in Machinga at a closed door meeting, he would fight for the dethronement of saboteurs after the May 19 elections.

But Maotcha denied the development, saying, in the past, he has only warned chiefs to guard against bias but has never threatened to dethrone any chief using his ties to the government.

One of the chiefs who attended the meeting said it was not the first time Maotcha Banda threatened them, adding he did the same at Mankhamba ground when Group Village Headman Mankhamba told him there was hunger in the area.

“The deputy minister told the chief that it was not good to tell him of such problems in public, as that would put government in bad light. He then went on to accuse the chief of being sent by the opposition,” he said.

But, Maotcha Banda, when contacted for comment, said all he knew was that there were areas in Machinga that were known for their violence and he has only warned chiefs to make sure that their subjects are disciplined.

“Otherwise, I don’t know the other things you are saying,” he said.

Maotcha Banda is one of the most controversial junior ministers in president Bingu wa Mutharika’s cabinet, and a case where he is reported to have shot at a community member suspected to belong to the opposition United Democratic Front has still not seen light of the day in court.