DPP Nec to meet over Chaponda
The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) national governing council is scheduled to meet to consider what action to take against its vice-president for the Southern Region George Chaponda.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is investigating Chaponda for his involvement in the dubious procurement of maize from neighbouring Zambia.
DPP publicity secretary Francis Kasaila told The Nation yesterday his party’s central executive would be meeting soon to deliberate on what to do with Chaponda.
“The central executive has convened a meeting to discuss the issue and we will inform you the resolution of the council,” said Kasaila.
However, the party spokesperson could not give the specific date for the meeting, saying “I am not very sure because I was out of the country and I just came back last night [Saturday].”
DPP secretary general Greizedar Jeffrey could also not state when the party politburo would be meeting over the matter.
“You will shortly be advised accordingly when everything is set. Right now I am in the Northern Region for party meetings,” she said.
The embattled former minister is also implicated in the findings of the two commissions of inquiry established to probe the maize scam.
President Peter Mutharika fired Chaponda as Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development last Wednesday following public pressure.
Chaponda’s dismissal came barely a day after ACB investigators launched a search and seize exercise where they confiscated K124 million, $57 500, 22 370 South African rands, 55 euros, 2 720 Indian rupees, 518 Ethiopian birr, 610 pula, 1 200 meticais, 1 250 Kenya shillings, 80 Hong Kong dollars, 1 010 Japanese yen, 29 Zambian kwacha and 100 Namibian dollar from his residence in Lilongwe.
Meanwhile, Mutharika also removed Chaponda as Leader of the House, replacing him with Local Government and Rural Development Minister Kondwani Nankhumwa.
Efforts to get a comment from Chaponda proved futile as our calls went unanswered despite several attempts.
It never rains, but it pours for this guy. It wasn’t supposed to be like this, but ACB’s Lucas Kondowe apparently never saw the memo from APM.
Now if push comes to shove, Chaponda will spill the beans. He seems to have the “sink together” syndrome. Let him disclose more of his fellow culprits. I’d love to see Goodall in the dock as well. I can just imagine – for the second time in less than five years – these two writing the following graffiti in Maula prison: “f$&@&ng maizegate got us f$&@&ng here!”