Battle for Katsonga brothers: PPM members defect to Chipani Cha Pfuko
Mark Katsonga Phiri’s Peoples Progressive Movement (PPM) Central Province Committee has defected to Chipani Cha Pfuko (CCP) a party being led by his brother, Davies Katsonga.
Speaking on Saturday in Lilongwe, PPM province Director Frackson Kanjere said the committee reached at the decision following the failure by the president to run the party effectively.
A lot of problems within the system because the party is being run like a company with almost all top position being held by people who happen to be workers at Axa Bus Services, a company owned by the president.
“As a result, everything that happens concerning the party is just dictated without consulting us, we were there just as mare spectators than equal participants in a move to achieve our goal and even if we try to have an input, our views are not taken on board as those who are close to the president look at him as their boss,” he said.
According to Kanjere, among those who work at a bus company are the party’s Secretary General, Organising Secretary and Campaign Director.
“All along, it has been difficult for us as regional leaders to work effectively to sell our party to the masses, so with such environment, we thought it wise to go elsewhere,” he said.
Asked as to why of all the party they chose to join CCP, Kanjere said they saw unique policies and leadership style in Katsonga.
“This is a party which is driven by every member regardless of who one is, there is total inclusiveness and the policies that the party has are people centered, mainly for the poor,” Kanjere said.
Speaking during the welcoming ceremony of the leaders, Davis Katsonga said it is a signal that the party is not as small as some people think.
“We might be a new party on the scene but we are not as small as some people perceive. People are interested to join our party because our policies and ideologies are very different from all the party because we aim at uplifting the poor first than other parties which believe in empowering those who are rich at the expense of a common man in the village that’s why today the whole region committee is joining us,” he said.
He however ruled out the notion that the move shows the signs of a family political war.
“No it’s not that, a lot of people and leaders from other parties are also joining us day in day out. I may as well say my good brother (Katsonga Phiri) could have been a little bit sad to see them joining another party, but he is also happy that they have come this way because msipu wamela mkhola (they are beefing up the family as well).”
Meanwhile, CCP goes to its first convention on January 29 to elect its leaders.
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