The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) says it not surprised that the once outspoken human rights activist, Timothy Mtambo, has joined frontline politics.

The governing party’s reaction follows Mtambo’s announcement that he has formed a revolutionary political movement called Citizens for Transformation (CFT).

Speaking to journalists in Lilongwe, DPP Spokesperson, Nicholas Dausi, said soon after tripartite elections, Mtambo through Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has been organizing demonstrations as a way to join politics.

Dausi said: “You are aware that since July 2019, that was two months after tripartite elections, Malawi began to witness violent demonstrations organized by HRDC with support from the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and UTM.

“Our position was that the demonstrations were political and that Mr. Mtambo was organizing the demonstrations as his way to a political career and today our position has been vindicated.”

Dausi therefore said it is good that Mtambo has joined politics and “he will be treated as a politician”.

On the other hand, government spokesperson, Mark Botomani, who was also present during the press conference, has faulted Malawi Congress Party youth wing for alleging that DPP is planning to rig the forthcoming presidential election.

Botomani was reacting to a statement made by MCP technology expert, Daud Suleman, at a press briefing held on May 31, in which he alleged that they have uncovered evidence that the governing DPP has put in place different measures to rig the election.

According to Botomani, the allegations are “baseless”.