BT Synod to reinstate suspended ministers
CCAP Blantyre Synod says it will reinstate four clerics who were suspended for accusing its leadership of campaigning for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the June 23 fresh presidential election.
Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Blantyre Synod general secretary Reverend Billy Gama said in an interview on Sunday that the synod intends to lift the suspension of the ministers, namely Reverend Donnex Mateyu Ngalande, moderator of Chileka CCAP in Blantyre, Reverend Dezio Maloya of Sharpevale CCAP in Ntcheu, Reverend Frank Mkwezalamba of Madziabango CCAP in Blantyre North Presbytery and Reverend Duncan Kananji of Blantyre City Presbytery to “move on”.
He said he invited the ministers to a round-table last Monday where he claimed the ministers pled guilty to organising a press briefing on June 9 where they condemned the politicisation of the pulpit.
Said Gama: “I have talked with them and we are having a management meeting on Thursday this week. But my recommendation would be, we need to move on. We might be lifting their suspension to proceed.”
He clarified that the purpose of suspending the ministers was not to punish them but to pave the way for investigations and create room for transformation.
Our inquiry into operations of the suspended clerics ‘churches established that the ministers were still executing their duties in defiance of the synod’s ban.
In an interview yesterday, Ngalande who led the concerned ministers during the press briefing, confirmed that he and the three other ministers met Gama.
He, however, refused to say what transpired at the meeting.
Asked why he continued ministering at his church during the suspension period, Ngalande said: “It wasn’t accepted by the church because they did not receive any communication from the synod.”
Barely four days after suspending the four clerics, the Synod asked its flock to vote for a candidate with experience in the court -sanctioned presidential election.
Analysts observed that the synod was indirectly guiding its members to vote for immediate past president Peter Mutharika of the DPP, as the other contenders, Lazarus Chakwera of Tonse Alliance and Peter Kuwani of Mbakuwaku Movement for Development had not served as presidents before.
Malawi Electoral Commission declared Chakwera winner with 2 607 300 votes while Mutharika came second with 1 752 530 votes and Kuwani came third with 32 473 votes.
