PP BACKS JB’s DECISION TO DELAY HER HOMECOMING TRIP

Opposition People’s Party (PP) has backed the decision taken by former President Dr. Joyce Banda to delay her much anticipated home coming trip scheduled for November 2, 2015 due to what she called ‘serious security concerns’.

Banda said she will delay further due to “serious security concerns” and lack of an official retirement residence which government has indicated is “no longer available”.

In a statement dated October 31, 2015 signed by PP Secretary General Ibrahim Matola, said the Party totally agrees and fully understands the reasons given behind the delay contradicting Christopher Mzomera Ngwira who has blasted Banda’s claims.

“It is a known fact that the DPP leadership has on several occasions tried to go after the life of our Party founder and President; not to mention several attempts to link her to the cashgate scam based on unfounded, baseless and senseless allegations.

“Issues of security should not be compromised especially with the current DPP administration that is associated with history of murdering its innocent citizens; 21 innocent citizens who took part in the July 20 demonstrations and a fourth year student at the Polytechnic late Robert Chasowa were murdered during the DPP administration,” reads in part the statement.

Added Matola: “In view of such uncertainty the Party stands by the decision taken by our Party founder and President HE Dr. Joyce Banda to delay her home coming until all necessary security measures and benefits for a former head of state as enshrined in our Republican Constitution are addressed”.

Meanwhile the Party has urged followers, supporters and well-wishers to be patient, saying Banda will return home once all concern raised by her office are addressed.