Synod tell Bingu not to come with Ntaba

Livingstonia Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) has written President Bingu Mutharika requesting him to exclude his Chief Political Advisor, Hetherwick Ntaba, from his entourage travelling with him to Nkhatabay on Sunday, to attend the dedication ceremony of a new Bandawe congregation church building.

According to a member of the organising committee of the ceremony, who opted for anonymity, the Synod has made this move due to the trauma that it still suffers following rude remarks from Ntaba, who described the Synod as "Spiritually bankrupt".

The request comes barely two days after Mutharika apologised to the Synod over the remarks.

"Although the President has apologised, we still feel the pain that his remarks afflicted on us. We will not be comfortable to have Ntaba in our amidst," said the source, adding that a letter to this effect was delivered to the New State House on Thursday

"We only hope that President should listen, otherwise it will be embarrassing to Ntaba himself," said the Synod official.

However, when contacted for comment, government spokesperson, Patricia Kaliati was uncooperative.

"Don't call me again," Kaliati hanged up.

The source said although the Synod was in support of Mutharika in his development endeavours, it will never consider Ntaba, as his political advisor.

"As a Synod, we have done away with him. Although as a Church, we are mandated to forgive, we feel Ntaba went too far. We are not a political party. His words fitted well on a politician, but not a religious body.

"These are the people who are fuelling the current political impasse in the country. Moreover, if Mutharika wants to go beyond 2009, it is better to dump these people. These are failures in politics, who are only using the mouth to insult others for their own survival," said the source.

The source then disclosed that the Synod will make its position clear on Ntaba who was excommunicated in the Nkhoma CCAP Synod and others who are "denting the image of government."

Ntaba, Kaliati and a few DPP functionaries are being credited for their "skilful use" of the tongue against the opposition, civil society organisations and others who are not "toeing the DPP line."