State Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima has condemned the petrol-bombing of a vehicle belonging to United Transformation Movement (UTM) Director of Women Mai Shaheeda Hussein by suspected Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) youth cadets.

Chilima condemned the violent act during a media briefing held on Monday in the capital Lilongwe.

In his speech, Chilima described the attack by DPP cadets as ploy to rig the forthcoming Presidential polls set for July 2, 2020.

“Professor Mutharika’s thugs attacked the home of Mai Shaheeda Hussein, a strong and pious Muslim lady who was attacked in the Holy Month of Ramadan while steadfastly observing the dictates of the religion she is devoted and loyal to.

“She is a powerless and defenceless woman who wronged no one. Her only crime was belonging to UTM. For that, DPP thugs believe is enough reason to terrorise and traumatize her. Such is the cowardice of those that sit in positions of power in this country – attacking women!,” said Chilima

He added: “This was followed with further mayhem unleashed on UTM supporters who provoked no one in Mulanje. Again, their only crime was supporting UTM. Further, around those areas, the messaging of Prof Mutharika and the DPP has been very clear and categorical: if you belong to this tribe, your party is DPP. If you come from this area, vote DPP.”

Meanwhile Chilima has asked the Malawi Police Service to act with profession and arrest the culprits.