There was blazing row in Rumphi Wednesday, when AFORD and UDF almost came to blows after some suspected AFORD supporters removed their party flags at the venue where Frank Mwenefumbo was due to address a rally with UDF officials.
A source who witnessed the fracas but asked for anonymity told this reporter that UDF officials were scheduled to hold a political rally at the district’s trading center where Mwenefumbo a running mate to UDF’s Presidential candidate Atupele Muluzi was to be the key note speaker.
She said the pandemonium broke out when some suspected AFORD supporters invaded the venue of the rally then took off their party flags which along with those of UDF had decorated the podium.
The matter was then reported to the police by Mwenefumbo loyalists who brought the two opposing sides for arbitration.
The incident occurred hours before the scheduled rally.
Mwenefumbo confirmed in an interview that his party colours were removed from the venue and condemned the act describing it as unfortunate.
He insisted he remains a royal member of AFORD and a citizen who is excising his freedom of association.
“It so sad that some AFORD members have attacked us today demanding the removal of our party colours on the rally’s venue. I am a member of AFORD myself and I did not subscribe to be UDF running mate another citizen just approached me,” explained Mwenefumbo.
According to Mwenefumbo, he remains royal to AFORD despite being nominated by Atupele Muluzi to be his running mate.
He added that he still recognizes Enock Chihana as AFORD president.
Efforts to speak to AFORD president Enock Chihana proved futile as his mobile number went unanswered for several attempts.
Mwenefumbo who is the incumbent Member of Parliament for Karonga Central constituency, was picked as UDF running mate by the party’s Presidential candidate Atupele Muluzi. Despite AFORD disowning Mwenefumbo he still insists being Aford.
