Chihaula rebuffs DPP return, skips unveiling ceremony

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) last week summoned the press to announce the return of two high-profile prodigal sons—but ended up re-announcing former minister of Agriculture Professor Peter Mwanza’s intention to run for ward councillorship, The Nation has learnt.

What was meant to be Mzimba South East’s Rabson Chihaula Shawa’s comeback was conspicuous by his absence at Mimosa Hotel in Mzuzu where Mwanza, who is MP for Mzuzu City Constituency, first announced his unprecedented political ambition at a similar presser three days earlier.

Speaking exclusively, Shawa—who dumped DPP after president Bingu wa Mutharika’s death in April 2012—revealed how the party’s campaign director Symon Vuwa-Kaunda’s rush compelled him to miss the ‘big day’.

Likening his failed move to how players change teams when the transfer window opens, he said: “I can confirm that there was some talking between me and DPP, but there were terms to be honoured before the announcement.

“As you know, a player cannot move from one team to another unless the terms are met and he is willing to do so. Surprisingly, Vuwa-Kaunda bumped into me in Mzuzu and rushed to announce the news.”

When asked about his next destination, Shawa, who lost primary polls in PP, said he will do what the people of Khosolo want.

However, the legislator confessed collecting nomination forms from M’mbelwa District Council, meaning he is also considering running as an independent candidate.

Further compounding doubts over the DPP connection, he was absent when the party’s presidential candidate Peter Mutharika was handing certificates of confirmation to the party’s torchbearers in the Northern Region.

His absence on Sunday delayed the press briefing from 3.30pm to 5.35pm, leaving Mzuzu City’s Peter Mwanza waiting on the couch for over an hour before being subjected to a second encounter with the press on why he is vying for the post of ward councillor in May 20 Tripartite Elections. In the hot seat, the visibly exhausted Mwanza pleaded for few questions since he was supposed to join his grandchildren who were waiting outside.

According to Vuwa-Kaunda, Shawa’s no-show partly lifts a veil of secrecy on the delicate negotiations that happen behind the scenes before parties welcome returnees or new members.

“These things need time and patience,” said Vuwa-Kaunda, promising that Chihaula would face the press the following day. He did not.