The opposition Democratic Progressive Party(DPP) has agreed to remove Kondwani Nankhumwa as it’s Leader of Opposition in Parliament. The party has also agreed to get ready to set a motion to impeach Vice President Saulos Chilima over his involvement in corruption activities. These resolutions were made on Sunday when the partys Members of Parliament met at Page House in Mangochi
DPP leader Arthur Peter Mutharika called on a meeting in Mangochi at his residence Page house to meet all DPP MPs before they go to parliament in August to have some issues sorted out. The meeting has elected George Chaponda as the new leader of opposition, replacing Kondwani Nankhumwa.
Spokesperson of the Party Shadreck Namalomba has confirmed Chaponda’s appointment as Leader of Opposition
The meeting has also appointed Vuwa Kaunda as Chief Whip while Victor Musowa has been elected as leader of back benchers deputised by Victoria Kingston
DPP want to capitalise of Chilima’s predicament to get him removed. A Criminal case would mean Chilima won’t be able to stand as a presidential candidate in 2025 which would give a great chance to a DPP candidate to win and the party to get back in power.
Rights activists have called on the Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda to speed up the establishment of the Financial Crimes Court to swiftly deal with a possible trial ofbVice President Saulos Chilima and 83 other suspects embroiled in the Sattar corruption allegations.
The graft busting body, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) named the 84, who include Chilima, former police Inspector General George Kainja, former ACB director Reyneck Matemba, some judges, lawyers, politicians and journalists.
The individuals mentioned are suspected to have received huge sums of money and other gifts from corruption kingpin Zuneth Sattar to influence award of government contracts.
Charles Kajoloweka of Youth and Society
In an interview Church and Society Executive Director Moses Mkandawire said there was urgent need to establish the special Financial Crimes Court to deal with these issues, arguing that the current courts cannot swiftly deal with the cases.
He said the establishment of the court has dragged for long.
Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency Executive Director Willy Kambwandira, on the other hand, wants Chilima to step aside for his alleged involvement in the Sattar corruption scheme to allow independent investigations to commence.
Charles Kajoloweka of Youth and Society concurs with Kambwandira, saying it will be difficult to investigate the public officers when they are still holding their offices.
Kajoloweka demanded either the firing or resignation of all public officers named in the Sattar corruption allegations.
Kajoloweka argued that their alleged involvement in the state-capture level of corruption erodes their public trust.
A storm is raging on social media following the recent sentence of 8 years imprisonment to a 19 year old Mussa John who has been sentenced for being found with 78 plastic bags of Indian hemp commonly known as Chamba.
According to Chizuma posting on her official Facebook page says the boy is poor and Malawian, I guess those are additional crimes he committed.
Otherwise Justice has failed in the material case.
“The learned colleagues erred in both law and fact when he arrived on such a sentence” says Chizuma.
Another Social Media activist Mphande, writes “Free 19 year old Mussa John”
Mphande borrowed a leaf from one the lines used in Martse’s songs which says Ku ndende ndi kwa anthu okuba nkhuku basi, Mabwana okuba dollar aziyenda mwaufulu basi, meaning prisons accommodate the less privileged and vulnerable, those with money do not see themselves behind bars even after commiting an offense.
Opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) National Organizing Secretary Chimwemwe Mazabuka Chipungu has been calling the party’s MPs, summoning them to attend an urgent meeting on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at President Peter Mutharika’s opulent residence (PAGE House) in Mangochi.
While Chipungu is not disclosing items on the agenda to the MPs, impeccable sources close to the meeting say, the meeting has been called to elect the new Leader of Opposition to replace the incumbent Dr. Kondwani Nankhumwa.
Chipungu
The source further indicate that, a good number of MPs believed to be pro-Nankhumwa have been sidelined as they haven’t been invited, including the Leader of Opposition himself.
So far, there are five (5) individuals earmarked to to take up the position and replace Dr Nankhumwa namely; Hon. Shadreck Namalomba, Hon. Bright Msaka, Hon Dr. George Chaponda, Hon. Victor Musowa and Hon. Owen Chomanika.
By sidelining Nankhumwa, the Secretary General and other MPs it clearly shows that the party is not committed to achieving peace and unity.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) on Saturday, June 25,2022 welcomed into its fold councilor Evance Ndhlovu for Mabilabo North Ward in Mzimba Luwerezi constituency and 82 other members.
Speaking during the ceremony that took place at Luwerezi Community Day Secondary School, Regional Chairman for North South in Malawi Congress Party, Joseph Chavula said the joining of councilor Ndhlovu who until the defection was UTM councilor for Mabilabo Ward is a clear indication that people have trust in the leadership of President Lazarus Chakwera.
“Malawians have trust in President Lazarus Chakwera, councilor Ndhlovu is one such example alongside all these people who have come with him to join MCP. President Chakwera’s open door policy has enabled MCP to become even more stronger as people are joining every day.” Said Chavula while expressing the party’s happiness to have Ndhlovu on its side.
Chavula then appealed for unity among party supporters for it to serve Malawians well, adding that those joining have equal membership rights to those already in the party.
But Chavula was quick to stress on the need to observe the four cornerstones, the pillars on which MCP has built its strength and existence since its formation.
“As we welcome you, let me say this; in MCP we live on the four cornerstones of Loyalty, Unity, Obedience, and Discipline, and we never compromise on these four, that is why MCP survived strongly for 26 years in opposition and managed to come back to power. Every member of Malawi Congress Party must observe these pillars.” Chavula reminded the gathering.
On developmental projects, Chavula said the government of President Chakwera is committed to develop the area, citing the plans to upgrade the Chimaliro-Nkhatabay road connecting M1 and M5 via Luwerezi, plans to construct Kabuwa bridge, Admarc depots and a clinic in the area as some projects highlighting government’ commitment to develop the area.
“President Chakwera and his government is committed to develop this area, and the coming in of councilor Evance Ndhlovu is a mile stone in achieving these developmental projects. We all know him as a hard-working councilor and visionary, so we will work with him with the guidance from you chiefs who are the custodians of such developments so that we develop this area together.” Added MCP’ regional chairman.
He has since urged councilor Ndhlovu and all party leaders to involve chiefs in developmental projects for the area as they are the source of which projects are needed in the area.
In his remarks, Councilor Ndhlovu told the gathering that he has joined MCP following the guidance he got from his people, saying the visionary leadership for President Chakwera made his people to request him to move from where he was and defect to MCP.
“I was voted by the people, and the same people told me to work with President Chakwera, this is why I have been knocking at the door for Malawi Congress Party to welcome me into its fold. Am happy today that I have been welcomed, my people are happy that what they wanted has finally been adhered to. My people and I, will work with this leadership of President Chakwera tirelessly.” Ndhlovu assured the the chiefs and the party leaders.
During the welcome ceremony, Joseph Chavula (RC) was accompanied by the regional organizing secretary (Kamzimu Gondwe) and some Luwerezi political district leaders. Chiefs were also in attendance.
