Economic Association of Malawi (ECAMA) President Henry Kachaje has added his voice on the leaked list of names that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is planning to kill for being critical of President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, saying it’s a threat to democracy.

The list seen by FaceofMalawi reporter contains 17 names of prominent figures that are vocal and critical to President Mutharika.

Some of the people included on the list are Prophet Shepherd Bushiri of Enlighten Christian Gathering (ECG) church, Chancellor College (CHANCO) professor Blessings Chinsinga, Jessie Kabwila of Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Ulemu Msungama, Henry Kachaje and others.

Commenting on the list, Kachaje said his first impression after seeing the list was that this must be one of those sick jokes from someone using the social media irresponsibly.

He said once President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika expressed dismay at how “sick” the nation has become in spreading sensitive rumours and lies against authorities and fellow citizens.

According to Kachaje Mutharika said: “This is a country in which someone can sit down and create a story that so and so has killed his wife and spread the rumour on social media… and because most of us don’t have the wisdom to question whatever we read on social media, we have made Facebook and WhatsApp our Bible”.

Kachaje said if the list is anything to go by then the country’s democracy is at threat.

“Can the DPP, whose name means “Democratic” and “Progressive” be so tyrannical and start opressing our democratic freedom and murder anyone with a critical or different view?

“Can the DPP, led by a professor of constitutional law, with 40 years of practice in a very progressive and liberal democratic nation (USA), sink so low to endorse such barbaric ways of dealing with those critical or holding a different view?,” wrote Kachaje.

He added: “Can the DPP, with a cabinet full of educated PhDs, fail to resolve whatever challenges the nation is facing and resort to perpetuating violence, hatred, intimidation and murder of those seen to be critical of its leadership?”

Kachaje said this kind of behavior has no place in Malawian democracy.

“It sounds incomprehensible for a political party that claims to be both DEMOCRATIC and PROGRESSIVE to behave in a barbaric and satanic manner as the so called “leaked hit list” seems to propagate. It is for this reason that I choose to believe this was a sick joke that should not frighten us from giving constructive feedback to our leaders and enjoying our democratic freedom.

“But in the unlikely event that there is some grain of truth in the said leaked document, then it is my prayer that as Malawians who love peace and democratic progress, we must work together in solidarity to root-out the elements of tyranny, intimidation, violence and any form of barbaric acts that might threaten our hard-won democracy,” said Kachaje.

“It is my prayer that believers and the church will continue to pray for this nation for “our God is able to deliver us from evil”. Indeed, should there be any holding public office with such evil and murderous intent, Lord we pray as your servant David prayed: “Let his days be few; and let another take his office…. Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.” (Psalm 109:8, 13),” concluded Kachaje.