The High Court in the northern Malawi city of Mzuzu has ordered Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president John Tembo and other members of the party to recognise 30 members who were fired in the city.
According to an affidavit filed in court, on instructions from Tembo, the 30 officials from Mzuzu district committee were fired on January 11 2013 at a party meeting chaired by MCP regional chairperson (North) James Kaunda.
They were fired for recognising Dr. Chris Daza as the MCP secretary general.
The 30, including district chairperson Gilbert Chione, sought court relief through lawyer George Kadzipatike, which was granted.
Granting an injunction on Wednesday, judge Dingiswayo Madise ordered Tembo and other party members to recognise the officials, failure of which they would be in contempt of court and be imprisoned or fined.
“An order of injunction be and is hereby granted restraining the respondents, any other member of Malawi Congress Party or whosoever from ceasing to recognise the applicants or ceasing to deal with them or ceasing to treat them as office bearers or members of Mzuzu district committee of the said party,” reads the injunction.
The reinstated members have since been asked to file interpartes summons for injunction within seven days so that hearing of the summons takes place within 14 days.
The 30 have also been ordered to file substantive action within seven days and deposit K50 000.
MCP spokesperson Jolly Kalelo said he was not aware that some members had fired and described the development as a nonstarter.
Kalero also said the party recognises Daza as its secretary general and members were to treat him as such.
