MCP ‘rebels’ join ‘Chilima’ movement
Some former members of opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) yesterday joined the newly established United Transformation Movement (UTM), a political grouping pushing for the presidential candidacy of Vice-President Saulos Chilima in the 2019 Tripartite Elections.
But MCP publicity secretary the Reverend Maurice Munthali downplayed the impact of the move, describing the party’s former members as “a team of frustrated men and women whose agenda is simply to be in positions even when their time is up”.
During a function in Lilongwe yesterday, UTM unveiled the ex-MCP team comprising regional and district chairpersons who largely sided with a faction of the previous MCP national executive committee that opposed party president Lazarus Chakwera’s style of leadership.
The faction termed ‘rebels’ included former secretary general Gustave Kaliwo, Speaker of the National Assembly and former vice-president Richard Msowoya, former publicity secretary Jessie Kabwila and former deputy secretary general Chatonda Kaunda.
Yesterday, Kaunda said the group has joined UTM out of frustration after being badly treated by MCP.
He said: “Frustration, yes, because these people have been fired. If they were not fired, they would still be holding their positions. They were fired and are free agents.”
Kaunda could not commit himself on whether Msowoya, Kaliwo and Kabwila would also follow suit.
But UTM publicity secretary Joseph Chidanti Malunga said Msowoya, who recently announced his leaving MCP, has officially joined the movement and will be unveiled this Saturday during the launch rally at Masintha ground in Lilongwe.
He said besides Msowoya, there were several other “big names” joining the movement.
Before the unveiling ceremony, the defecting members had a meeting with Chilima at his Area 12 official residence where they pledged their support of his candidature.
Former MCP district chairpersons Foloma Mwale (Mchinji), Lince Gondwe (Mzimba) and Amosi Chanza (Chikwawa), among those paraded, accused the MCP leadership of not tolerating other views.
But Munthali said the MCP is not affected by the decision of those who have joined the movement.
He said it was sad that the group has decided to accuse Chakwera in his personal capacity when the decision to fire them was unanimous.
Said Munthali: “Due to indiscipline, they were fired from their positions. I hope soon or later, the movement will discover their true colours. But I wish them all the best in the movement.”
The meeting was also attended by UTM members, including former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) national governing council (NGC) members Noel Masangwi who was addressed as national chairperson, Patricia Kaliati addressed as secretary general and former first lady Callista Mutharika.
Callista, widow of DPP founding president and former Head of State Bingu wa Mutharika and the incumbent President’s in-law, is presidential adviser on Safe Motherhood and HIV and Aids. She said the movement was gaining momentum by the day because Malawians were frustrated with the country’s leadership.
