MCP expels 30 members for supporting SG Daza

Thirty opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) officials in Mzuzu have been fired for allegedly recognising embattled Chris Daza as the party’s secretary general (SG).

The members, who include chairperson of MCP’s Mzuzu district committee Gilbert Chione, have since sought court relief through lawyer George Kadzipatike.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Kadzipatike was still waiting for an injunction on the same to be signed.

An affidavit signed by Chione submitted to the Mzuzu High Court registry alleges that MCP president John Tembo and other national executive members earlier instructed the Mzuzu committee not to associate with or conduct party business with Daza.

However, the 30 reportedly decided to ignore the instruction on the basis that they would be in contempt of court since Daza was reinstated by court as SG for the party.

Reads the affidavit seen by The Nation: “On or about the 11th of January 2013, at a party meeting chaired by the second respondent [James Kaunda, regional chairperson for the North], under the instructions from Honourable John Tembo, at Jombo in Mzimba, purportedly relieved of our positions in the Mzuzu District Committee of the party for the reason that we were treating Dr. Chris Daza as the party’s secretary general when the respondents do not want Daza to be treated as such despite the court order.”

Tembo, who is the main respondent in the case, could not be reached for comment.

But MCP spokesperson Jolly Kalero said the party recognises Daza as its SG.

Said Kalero: “It’s obvious he [Daza] is the secretary general. The court reinstated him.”

But Kalero feigned ignorance of officials losing their positions in Mzuzu.

Reacting to the development in an interview, Daza said it is unfortunate that people have lost positions “because a few individuals around the [party] president” who are not happy with his status as SG.

He said as far as he and the party are concerned, he is still the SG. He said he was elected at a convention; hence, the need for people to respect that.

Said Daza: “There are just a few individuals who have never treated me as the secretary general.”

Daza also said it was his wish to reconcile with Tembo. He said he is yet to get an appointment for an audience with Tembo.