Tonse Alliance, a grouping of nine opposition political parties ahead of the fresh presidential election, has commended the Malawi Police Service (MPS) for providing maximum security during their two recent campaign rallies held in Zomba and Mangochi districts.

The alliance made the remarks in a press statement signed by publicity secretaries for the alliance’s leading parties, Malawi Congress (MCP) and UTM, Reverend Maurice Munthali and Dr. Chidanti Malunga respectively.

Reads part of the statement: “Tonse Alliance would like to acknowledge and commend the professionalism of the Malawi Police Service (MPS) in ensuring maximum security at all events surrounding the Alliance rallies in Zomba and Mangochi on Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, 2020, respectively.”

According to the statement, after the ugly events in Mulanje, Phalombe and Machinga, on Friday, where DPP/UDF alliance supporters attacked Tonse alliance members, it was refreshing to see the police responding decisively by boosting security at the two recent consecutive rallies in Zomba and Mangochi that were conducted without any ugly scene.

The statement further appealed to all Tonse Alliance supporters to assist the police by maintaining peace and calm in the build up to the fresh presidential election and beyond.

During Tonse Alliance rallies in Zomba and Mangochi on Saturday and Sunday respectively, there was a heavy presence of police in both venues.

The development comes after the suspected youth cadets for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) attacked a convoy of state Vice President, Dr. Saulos Chilima, who is also running mate of Tonse Alliance on Friday in Phalombe, while on Saturday, DPP/UDF Alliance running mate, Atupele Muluzi’s convoy was also attacked by the suspected Tonse Alliance sympathizers.