CCJP decries corruption, poor intra-party democracy
Major political parties, notably Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Malawi Congress Party (MCP), have been criticised for lacking tolerance and genuine intra-party democracy, a development that is threatening the country’s democracy.
Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) National Secretary Martin Chiphwanya speaking at a news conference in Lilongwe said his organisation is concerned with the continued manifestation of “acceptance”, which he described as displeasing.
He said: “It is displeasing to note that instead focusing on strategic and political issues that have a bearing on our country’s governance structures, our political parties waste time with internal squabbles and bickering.”
In recent months, most of the political parties represented in the National Assembly have had their fair share of quarrels which have seen members providing alternative voices being suspended or expelled in some cases.
In July this year, Mulanje South Member of Parliament (MP) Bon Kalindo resigned from his position as DPP deputy publicity secretary after the governing party summoned him to a disciplinary hearing following misunderstandings that emerged between the legislator and some senior party members.
Differences between Kalindo, popularly known by his stage name Winiko, and DPP executive were ignited by the MP’s ‘naked’ demonstration in Lilongwe to push for stiffer penalties for perpetrators of attacks on persons with albinism.
In June this year, People’s Party (PP) expelled its Zomba Ntonya legislator Patrick Makina barely a week after suspending him for alleged allegiance to DPP.
His removal came after the party also booted out Mzimba Hora MP and former provincial chairperson for the Northern Region the Reverend Christopher Mzomera Ngwira early this year.
PP fired Ngwira following allegations that he was behind the fracas that erupted at a meeting in Mzuzu City in January this year.
Ngwira had openely voiced out his dissent against the appointment of Uladi Mussa, PP vice-president (political) and Salima South legislator as caretaker leader of the party in the absence of Joyce Banda.
MCP, the official opposition in Parliament, has also been caught in infighting between the leadership and some disgruntled members, some of whom obtained a court injunction against their dismissal.
In September, MCP expelled 13 members, including Salima Central MP Felix Jumbe whereas Salima North West legislator Jessie Kabwira and Lilongwe Mapuyu South MP Joseph Njobvuyalema were suspended pending investigations.
In its statement, CCJP appealed to political parties to embrace democracy, observing that failure to amicably resolve differences was a matter of great concern.
Said Chiphwanya: “We believe that any political party that treats alternative views from its members negatively cannot play its rightful role in a democratic dispensation. We call upon party leaders to show transformative leadership by creating a conducive environment for different views.”
Reacting to CCJP concerns, DPP spokesperson Francis Kasaila said running a political office is different from running any other office in general.
He said political issues should be understood politically and that there is need for dialogue if CCJP wants to understand issues of politics.
Said Kasaila: “I don’t agree with their findings because, for starters, they are a civil society organisation and we are a political party. If they want to understand issues better they need to dialogue with us because we have our own way of running a party.”
MCP deputy secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka said despite that MCP had its own issues, the party welcomes dissenting views from all its members.
“Of course, fights derail development in any way, but let it be known that MCP is a stable party and we believe that the infights have external roots. We will sort out these issues once and for all,” he said
The commission also expressed their dissatisfaction with the way government has handled cases of human trafficking, corruption, continued looting of public resources and lack of communication on important matters.
“We note with great concern of the lack of properly coordinated communication system within the government on matters of national importance. The issue surrounding the head of State’s health created unnecessary tension and panic due to failure by authorities to give the nation a timely update about other engagements the President was undertaking while in the United States of America,” he said. n
