Mutharika reverses on ‘smuggler’ Masangwi
President Bingu wa Mutharika has withdrawn the dismissal of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regional governor for the south Noel Masangwi to save the party from more trouble, Nyasa Times understands.
Mutharika fired Masangwi recently after being convinced by several DPP officials to fire him for being dormant and lacking vision.
Masangwi’s dismissal brought divisions in the party with some top party officials celebrating while others expressing fear that the rich businessman could join another party and break DPP.
“It is true the president has withdrawn Mr. Masangwi’s dismissal. His fear is that the governor may join another party if dismissed from the DPP and wreck havoc on the party,” a senior DPP official said.
The official said the president’s decision has not gone down well with some top party officials and members of the Mulhako wa Alhomwe, a cultural grouping headed by Mutharika.
DPP’s first vice president Yunus Mussa and director of women Patricia Kaliati are some of the top party officials who do not want Masangwi. Mussa already identified former deputy minister of Sports Charles Mchacha to replace Masangwi.
Meanwhile, to challenge the nation that he is back as regional governor, Masangwi is now playing the role of director of ceremonies at some of state functions. He was director of events on Saturday when the president launched the Bangula-Nsanje road.
Last year, Masangwi was described as a “smuggler” by the president’s young brother and DPP presidential candidate, Peter Mutharika in a leaked gossip talk.
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