DPP removes Masangwi, Chidyaonga is new regional governor: Rescinds Phalombe South decision

The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has removed its Southern region Governor, Noel Masangwi who has since been roped into party’s National Governing Council (NGC).

Masangwi has been replaced by a new face on the political scene, Ben Chidyaonga in a shake-up exercise that has seen some of the regional committee members demoted on grounds of failing to professionally handle primary elections.

The restructuring exercise has been made after Masangwi and his team were blamed for unilaterally dissolving and replaced Phalombe South constituency committee for opposing his views of imposing Mary Mpanga as party’s Parliamentary candidate instead of legitimately elected candidate, John Joswah.

Masangwi:  Moved to NGC
Masangwi: Moved to NGC

Last week a fracas ensued in the constituency following the party’s decision, hugely influenced by Masangwi, to dump Joswah in favour of second best, Mpanga.

DPP Secretary General, Jean Kalirani in an interview with Nyasa Times dismissed suggestions that Masangwi has been demoted, saying shifting its long-serving regional governor into NGC was a promotion.

Kalirani could not however explain why the sudden shake-up in the party.

She said: “He (Masangwi) has been promoted and will be regarded as ordinary member but responsible for special duties. It’s a promotion not as a demotion as it is been reported”.

The party has also replaced Southern region committee treasurer, Ngozi Harawa with Henry Mweziwina while regional organising secretary, Amos Phiri has also been replaced with Henry Matemba. Both Harawa and Phiri have joined Masangwi in NGC.

In other changes, the party has appointed former Minister in late President Bingu wa Mutharika’s first five-year term, Jafallie Mussa as campaign director for the Eastern Region while Thyolo Parliamentarian, Charles Mchacha as his deputy.

Meanwhile, the party has rescinded its decision to dump legitimately elected Parliamentary candidate for Phalombe South constituency, John Joswah in favour of second best, Mary Mpanga.

Joswah outclassed four other contestants in the primaries with a landmark of 1,009 votes against the party’s favoured-Mpanga-652 votes who came second.

The party through its Publicity Secretary, Nicholas Dausi admitted that Mpanga was the party’s favourite candidate to help it win May 20th elections while regarding Joswah as weak candidate.

However, DPP rescinded its decision and Joswah was on Wednesday endorsed as its legitimate candidate and was, together with other candidates, presented with party’s certificate of endorsement at Robins Park hall in Blantyre.

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