MCP’s Msowoya denies holding two positions

Newly elected Malawi Congress Party (MCP) vice-president Richard Msowoya has dismissed claims that he is holding two positions in different political parties, saying he resigned from People’s Development Movement (PDM).

During PDM formation, Msowoya was elected president of the party although he spent most of his time in Cameroon and later Botswana.

His deputy at PDM, Loveness Gondwe, was the one carrying the party’s mantle at campaign rallies.

But Msowoya flew from Botswana to attend the MCP convention last weekend at Natural Resources College where he was elected vice-president.

Asked in an interview on Thursday whether his election meant that he was holding two positions in different parties, Msowoya said he is only MCP because he resigned from PDM.

“Yes, I was PDM leader, but I resigned. It was a proper resignation because I handed over everything to Beatrice Mwale,” said Msowoya.

Mwale has since left PDM and has joined People’s Party (PP).

But PDM secretary general David Nkuna denied any knowledge of Msowoya’s resignation.

“I am not aware that he resigned. But I knew that he was contemplating joining MCP,” said Nkuna.

Richard Msowoya won a seat in Karonga Nyungwe in 2005. He was then appointed deputy minister responsible for higher education in former president Bingu wa Mutharika’s Cabinet.

He resigned and joined MCP amid reports that he would be appointed running mate of the party’s presidential candidate in the 2009 elections, a thing that did not materialise.