The state is providing police security to former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Regional Governor for the North, Reverend Christopher Ngwira, who defected to ruling People’s Party (PP) last month, following threats to his life.
The media saw Ngwira with a police bodyguard during several state functions held in Lilongwe last week.
A PP official confided in The Daily Times that Ngwira’s protection follows in-fighting in the party after some “very senior party officials” disagreed since he joined the party.
The source said Ngwira, an MP for Mzimba Hora constituency, has been a polarising figure soon after he defected to the party.
“His arrival in the party caused a number of disagreements. He received threats, but they were from within,” said the party official.
Ngwira could not be reached for his comment on why he is getting Very Important Persons (VIP) treatment.
National Police spokesperson Rhoda Manjolo asked for adequate time to inquire why Ngwira is getting police protection.
“The people responsible for VIP protection are busy with state functions so call me in two days so that I consult,” said Manjolo on Thursday, insisting she was yet to solicit the information in subsequent inquiries.
However, when contacted yesterday, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Uladi Mussa feigned ignorance over the state’s granting of the security to Ngwira.
But Mussa said he would not be surprised with the development as Ngwira had received death threats allegedly from his former DPP officials.
“This is news to me. The terms and conditions of his position as a party official and Member of Parliament do not give him entitlements such as a bodyguard. However, I heard that he was receiving death threats from anonymous people.
“It was suspected that the people could be from his former party who were angry over his departure from the party.
“In such situations when a person has reported such threats, police are required to give him such protection,” said Mussa.
However, DPP spokesperson Nicholas Dausi described assertions that the threats were from DPP as unfounded and laughable.
“You mean who is Reverend Ngwira to get such treatment from DPP? People have left the DPP, has anybody gotten such threats? Between Wakuda Kamanga and Ngwira who is influential? What about Goodall Gondwe?” Dausi asked.
“Let’s not dramatize security issues; this is abuse of resources. I don’t know what this is all about” he said.
On his part, PP Publicity Secretary Hophmally Makande ruled out that the threats were emanating from PP, saying the party’s members do not keep grudges against each other.
“What I have heard is that he has been receiving threats from anonymous people but we don’t know who. We are not aware at the moment if the state is indeed providing security but the threats can’t be coming from PP as alleged; PP is a very harmonious party, we don’t keep grudges against each other,” Makande said.
