The opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has swiftly came to the rescue of its leader Lazarus Chakwera from the jaws of four region chairpersons who have accused the MCP leader of nepotism and wanton disregard of the party’s constitution.
In a letter dated January 9, 2016, the regional leaders, among other things, say they are concerned with the silence from Chakwera after the party’s Administrative Secretary, Potipher Chidaya, and other party officials were beaten up in Blantyre.
The group also accuses Chakwera of nepotism, claiming that the majority of positions in the party are held by people from Lilongwe, where Chakwera also comes from.
“Does this imply that this party is now only for Lilongwe? Imagine that the second Deputy Secretary General is from Lilongwe, Administrative Secretary from Lilongwe, Treasurer General from Lilongwe, Deputy Treasurer General from Lilongwe, Director of Elections from Lilongwe, [Louis] Chakwantha Director of Youth Lilongwe, Manjankhosi Director of women, Nkhombe, Honourable Belekanyama, Honourable Ching’oma, Honourable Dzoole-Mwale and Honourable Chimango Legal Affairs to mention a few,” reads the letter signed by Baza Kaunda, Abi Jana, Bauleni Mkweza and Stowell Gondwe.
The four are chairpersons North-South, East, Lakeshore and North-North regions, in that order.
The chairpersons also blame Chakwera for apparently giving more powers to members of Parliament (MPs) and not respecting constituency, district and regional committees.
The disgruntled chairpersons have since challenged Chakwera not to conduct meetings or elections until a convention is held.
But addressing a press conference in Lilongwe on Monday, MCP spokesperson Alekeni Odala Menyani, who was franked by Director of Political affairs Jean Sendeza, Second Deputy Campaign Director Alexander Dzonzi, District Chairperson for Nkhatabay Manase Chiumia, rubbished the claims, saying the chairpersons are abusing Chakwera’s openness by making unsubstantiated allegations, adding that what they are doing is a sign of disrespect.
Menyani said: “The claims of nepotism are misplaced; most powerful positions are held by people from across the country, the vice-president is from Karonga, second vice-president Lombola is from the South, the Secretary General is from Zomba, Publicity Secretary is from Salima and I am from Dedza. These chairpersons have no mandate to call for elections or stop the president from working.
According to Menyani, the chairpersons seem to have developed some cold feet since the party called for elections to have them renew their mandate.
While taking a swipe at the chairpersons for taking the matter to the media before taking it to the party, Menyani said some of the region chairpersons, have since disowned the letter.
Asambizi Asakala 