Masangwi’s ‘secret talks’ with JB shock DPP brass: Labelled traitor on violence plot
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Director of Special Events, Noel Masangwi secret visit on Monday to Kamuzu Palace to meet President Joyce Banda has irked the party’s brass as they accuse him of leaking the ‘destabilization strategy’ after the polls.
Nyasa Times reported at the weekend about a DPP ‘Sub Cabinet’ designing and implementing a ‘destabilization strategy’ ahead of the May 20 polls in the face of an imminent defeat at the hands of President Banda and her governing People’s Party (PP).
According to a member of the DPP ‘Sub Cabinet’, they suspect Masangwi may have revealed to President Banda most of the strategies the DPP is employing in its bid to reclaim government during the May 20 tripartite elections.
Malawi is expected to hold tripartite elections on May 20 when voters will choose President, parliamentarians and councillors. There are 12 presidential candidates expected to contest the polls.
However, the major contest has been narrowed down to four presidential candidates. They are Atupele Muluzi for the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), Peter Mutharika of the DPP, Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and President Banda of the ruling PP.
DPP gurus after learning about Masangwi’s visit to Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on the same day quizzed him to ascertain his whereabouts.
Masangwi confirmed he was indeed in Lilongwe on some ‘private errands’.
Even with ‘intelligence’ available about Masangwi’s visit to Kamuzu Palace, it is not clear what he discussed with President Banda.
However, Masangwi of the “Malawi-is-not-ready-for-a-woman-President” fame is said to be seriously contemplating quitting the DPP following his ‘demotion’ as DPP Regional Governor for the South.
Masangwi is the latest top opposition official to have recently met President Banda after MCP’s Chakwera.
In March this year, Chakwera held a meeting with the Malawi leader, which led to some quarters alleging that the two discussed the possibility of an alliance.
Chakwera countered that he only met the President to discuss issues of political violence.
“There is a general acceptance within the DPP camp that President Banda will retain the presidency and Masangwi may as well be repositioning himself in the face of any eventuality,” said one of Masangwi’s closest associates in Blantyre.
Masangwi himself opted not to comment on his visit to the Kamuzu Palace, saying it is “not for public “ to know.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :