ATLANTA, US--Friends of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in the United Kingdon which goes by the acronym FoDDPUK has taken issue with the article 'Malawi embassy staff active in DPP UK wing' published by Nyasa Times, saying it “contained distorted facts”.

In its report, the publication said at a dinner the Malawi embassy hosted for FoDDPUK in London,  “all embassy staff including the groups advisor, former Inspector General of Police, Mary Nangwale, pledged total support to fight opposition and anti-President Bingu wa Mutharika elements in the UK.

“The DPP wing in conjunction with the embassy is organising a fund raising event...to help bankroll Mutharika’s party,” the report said.   

But FoDDPUK chair Sumani Kazombo said “no staff of Malawi embassy is working with the group.”

Regarding Namangwale who is said to have launched the “DPP wing in Bristol”, Kazombo said his group “invited the office of the Malawi High Commission in London and Mrs Nangwale was assigned to represent the office.

“By virtue of her office she automatically became an advisor of the grouping in which case if she leaves UK, another official will be designated,” Kazombo said.  

“We would like to emphasise that UK Malawi High Commission, like everywhere else where there is a Malawi mission, is there to look after all Malawians regardless of party affiliations.

“To suggest that the fundraising dance in Manchester is to bankroll the DPP is an inane suggestion from what is purportedly a reputable online publication.”
 
Kazombo went on to say there’s freedom of association and FoDDPUK decided to “align ourselves with the ruling DPP” and “that we are here to work with every Malawian, in whatever meaningful capacity, for the development of our nation.”
 
On the allegation that there’s an effort to go after perceived political enemies of the Mutharika administration, Kazombo thinks “it is sheer gibberish to suggest that way. I don’t think any person has got surplus time to waste to be spying on other people, for what reason?”
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment