The Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has condemned the beating up of UTM party Youth Director, Bon Kalindo in Mulanje on Wednesday.

In a statement signed by its Chairperson, the Very Rev. Dr. Felix Chingota, the religious grouping said they have learnt with shock about the continued acts of political violence in the country.

The statement observed that since the 2017 By-elections, Malawi continues to witness acts of violence against individuals who take divergent views within and among political parties – which can be translated as a sign of panic as the country is slowly urging towards 2019 tripartite elections.

“Some acts of violence including the case in Mulanje by-elections involving MCP supporter, the torching of UTM vehicles in Mangochi, as well as an attack on UTM Secretory general Patricia Kaliati at Parliament building in Lilongwe,” Reads part of the statement.

He further stressed other instances that attracted public attention like the beating of a person wearing MCP regalia in Blantyre, attack on Daily Times and Zodiak reporters in Lilongwe and Mzuzu respectively as barbaric developments signaling a cowardly tactic in a democratic governance intended to gain a political mileage.

“PAC also recalls that primaries held by key political parties in preparation for the 2019 elections were is some cases marred with acts of violence whether verbal or physical and went on to say such events manifest lack of intraparty democracy and entrenched undemocratic behaviour bent on stifling internal political competition,”  Very Rev. Chingota said.

Therefore, PAC strongly condemned the beating of Hon. Bon Kalindo whether it was perpetrated by the opposition or governing party – since there are vivid objective facts on the culprits.

Meanwhile, PAC has called upon law enforcers to swiftly deal with the perpetrators in an objective manner has advised Malawians to desist from violence to ensure the sustenance of peace and unity we enjoy in Malawi.