By Jones Gadama
The High Court in Mzuzu is set to hear a dispute between Trade Minister Vitumbiko Mumba and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) over the Mzimba Central Constituency parliamentary seat.
The hearing, scheduled for June 13th, will determine whether the dispute should be resolved through the courts or outside of them.
Mumba, who is seeking the parliamentary seat, has been embroiled in a controversy within the party, with some members questioning his eligibility.
His lawyer, Khumbo Soko, is optimistic that the court will grant their wish and allow fresh primary elections to be held in the area.
“We are confident that the court will see the merit in our case and grant our application,” Soko said, adding that,”This will enable the party to hold fresh primary elections, which will be in the best interest of the party and its members.”
However, MCP lawyer Gift Dick Chimowa has expressed concerns that Mumba’s application is an abuse of the court process.
“We believe that the claimant has no good grounds to be seeking an injunction again,” Chimowa said, adding that,”We will submit to the court’s guidance on this matter, but we are confident that the court will see through the claimant’s intentions.”
The dispute began when Mumba asked the party to consider an out-of-court settlement, but the party later applied for a discharge order of the earlier injunction.
The court’s decision will have significant implications for the party and its members, and will determine the fate of Mumba’s parliamentary aspirations.
As the hearing approaches, both parties are gearing up to present their cases to the court.
The outcome of the hearing will be closely watched, and will provide clarity on the way forward for the MCP and its members.
The court’s ruling will be crucial in determining the future of the party in Mzimba Central Constituency, and will have far-reaching implications for the party’s internal dynamics.
With the hearing just around the corner, all eyes are on the court to see how it will rule on this matter.
