Court orders MCP to hold convention in 90 days

The High Court in Lilongwe has ordered the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to hold a convention within 90 days after some disgruntled members dragged it to court.

Judiciary spokesperson Mlenga Mvula in an interview yesterday confirmed that Judge Chifundo Kachale made the order on Thursday, asking the party to fill all its positions through elections.

The party’s publicity secretary Jessie Kabwila said she was not aware about the developments, but lawyer John-Gift Mwakhwawa who represented the party in the case said they are digesting the court order before determining the next action.

The court order followed a complaint lodged at the High Court where some regional chairpersons annoyed with some inconsistencies in implementing the party’s constitution, decided to drag the party to court.

Prior to the court matter, the regional chairpersons wrote the party, alleging that party president Lazarus Chakwera was nepotistic as he had appointed into the national executive committee (NEC) people mostly from his native Lilongwe District and removed others when he had no mandate to do so.

The leaders further charged that members of Parliament (MPs) were more powerful than NEC members.

MCP top brass on January 18 held a news conference in Lilongwe to quell dissent in the party, but its public relations officer Alekeni Menyani, admitted at the news conference that the party’s constitution, which states that elections would be held every three years, was flouted.

Office holders in districts and other committees have held positions since 1992, it was learnt. n