MCP MPs plot Kabwila ouster

Some members of parliament in the main opposiiton Malawi Congress Party (MCP) as some are plotting for the removal of their party’s spokesperson Jessie Kabwila from the position, arguing she is causing confusion within.

The  MPs behind the move who have started  a Whatsapp group discussion are  Richard Chimwendo Banda, Amon Nkhata and Peter Dimba.

They were irked by Kabwila’s stand to defend the suspended central region districts chairpersons.

The suspended District chairmen d include veteran politician Foloma Mwale from Mchinji North, a Mr Chisenga from Kasungu West, a Mr Sekani from Dowa West, Tengeletu from Dowa East, Chichitike from Ntchisi, a Mr Kachule from Lilongwe West and C.K Banda from Mchinji South..

They were being suspected to be the ones behind confusion locking the party with growing calls to call for early convention citing nepotism and maladministration as some of the key reasons.

The chairpersons were suspsended after they were allegedly been holding secret meeting  in Lilongwe.

“All along, some sections in the party have been saying some disgruntled party officials supposedly being sponsored by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are responsible for the confusion within the party and when Kabwila stood behind the DCs that’s when they felt vindicated and the plan is to fire her during the next meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC),” said the source.

The NEC meeting is expected to be held as soon as the party president Dr Lazarus Chakwera returns from United States where he is on a political tour.

In an interview, Chimwendo Banda denied that the three are plotting for a move to have Kabwila removed as the party spokesperson.

“Thats a total lie that we are doing that, all we are saying is that the regional committee which comprises of 90 people made its decision and we are now waiting for NEC to make a final solution.

“What I can tell you is that the confusion within the party is happening because of a few individuals who are trying hard to be in the party leadership. Some of them failed at the convention while others failed during the regional elections, they are failures and unknown by the party supporters. They are just using the DCs

“What I can tell you is that the party is very good and strong with the leadership of Dr Chakwera, we know that these people will not stop causing confusions until the next convention but they will achieve nothing,” he said without mentioning their names.

In an interview with Nyasa Times,  Kabwila said she has not yet received official communication for the plot but acknowledged that she has heard of the development.

“I have even been approached by some party officials informing me that they are planning to obtain an injunction against my planed removal as a spokesperson for the party. I also have information that some MPs through our Whatsapp group are claiming that I have received money from DPP to destabilize the party which is a blue lie.

“If they are disagreeing with my stand on the suspension of the DCs then its okay but I still stand by what I said. The regional committee has got no powers to suspend any DC, I was copied the letter they wrote and all I said was that fine, let’s wait for the NEC to meet, discuss and pass its judgement. I didn’t say that the committee or the DC were right or wrong but the party constitution be followed,” she said.

Kabwila said her stand does not mean she is fighting Chakwera  as the MPs are claiming, but she is standing on a point of principal.

“I am against the way we are treating the so called old people within the party leadership because they are the party and we are here because of them If they should go then let the constitution be followed and nothing else.

“I speak for the president, NEC, the youth, women and every party member and its not the duty of the party Public Relations Officer so off they want someone to be speaking for the party then they have to tell me,” said Kabwila.

She added that since the president is away, “let’s give him a chance, he will be back, will look into this issue and will advice on what should be done.”

Kabwila said what the some of the MPs are insinuating that she has received money from DPP to destabilize the party is messing with her political capital.

“This is not fair because the only political capital I have is my name and if someone is trying to mess up with my name then that’s wrong,” she said.

Efforts to talk to Nkhata and Dimba proved futile.