By Chisomo Phiri
Former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has accused the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) of being partisan and that the organisation is “dead and buried”.
In a statement released on Friday, DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba says it is now time that Malawians start questioning the effectiveness of HRDC as regards unbiased and objective advocacy.
Says Namalomba in the statement: “HRDC is partisan and any statements they make today are only a smokescreen to blindfold Malawians that they exist, when in true sense HRDC is dead and buried.”
Namalomba further alleges that HRDC had connived with President Lazarus Chakwera to oust the DPP through violent protests across the country
“HRDC should rediscover itself and begin holding the Chakwera administration for unleashing enormous and untold misery on Malawians who voted them into power.”
He thinks if DPP was the governing, HRDC could have mobilized Malawians into nationwide protests.
The statement comes barely days after the HRDC took a swipe at the former governing party for failing to hold the Tonse Alliance accountable in 2023 due to infighting.
But when contacted, HRDC chairperson Gift Trapence said the organisation has always been neutral and that it does not lean towards any political party.
“We led Malawians in holding the DPP accountable then because of the poor governance and state of the economy. These were neutral and objective issues that needed to be taken head on,” said Trapence.
He further said the DPP should focus on sorting out the mess in their party instead of making wild allegations that are baseless.
