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MMD youth leader okays verbal assault on Rupiah’s critics

MMD youth leader okays verbal assault on Rupiah’s critics
By Patson Chilemba
Fri 12 Nov. 2010, 04:00 CAT

AN MMD youth leader claims it is not wrong to verbally assault those who attack President Rupiah Banda. Speaking yesterday, Watson Mtonga, Lusaka Province youth vice-chairperson, said the MMD would appeal against the conviction of youth chairperson Chris Chalwe. Mtonga said he was confident the higher court would overturn the judgment.

“He Chalwe is a committed soldier for President Banda. It is true. He is a gallant soldier. He is not a coward and whatever the verdict, we are praying for him to remain strong,” Mtonga said.

Mtonga said Chalwe was not a violent person.

But when reminded that apart from beating journalists, Chalwe and his group threatened to gang-rape FDD president Edith Nawakwi, Mtonga said the threats of violence did not manifest into reality.

“Yes, it was a political threatening assault because Nawakwi also was insulting and demeaning our President,” he said.

When asked if it was right to verbally assault those attacking President Banda, Mtonga responded: “Yes, because they are also injuring the image and the heart of the President. The words they use are also very bad.”

Mtonga said the MMD youths would not back out but defend the interests of the party.

“The key thing is that in MMD, we shall not promote violence,” said Mtonga.

Senior resident magistrate David Simusamba on Tuesday jailed Chalwe one year with hard labour for common assault. Chalwe assaulted Post Newspapers journalist Chibaula Silwamba and Times of Zambia senior reporter Anthony Mulowa on July 29, 2009 in Lusaka.

However, magistrate Simusamba acquitted Chalwe on a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Labels: CHRIS CHALWE, MMD YOUTH LEAGUE, RUPIAH BANDA, WATSON MATONGA

posted by MrK @ 8:29 AM