One more official quits PP

Erstwhile governing People’s Party (PP) has lost one more national governing council (NGC) member, deputy director of social services Tony Ngalande.

Ngalande tendered his resignation last week, citing personal reasons.

His resignation comes against the background of squabbles in the party following the appointment of Uladi Mussa as acting president and Kamlepo Kalua third vice-president by party president of the party Joyce Banda.

Last week, five PP members, including national organising secretary Salim Bagus, obtained a court order blocking the appointment of Mussa and Kalua, saying Banda did not respect the party’s constitution when appointing the two.

Announcing the news during a press briefing in Lilongwe yesterday, Ngalande said he wants to concentrate on his businesses and therefore cannot continue holding his position in PP.

He said: “I have decided to resign from People’s Party both as a member and deputy director of social services. This is a personal decision and I believe I can continue serving the country as a businessperson. I want to thank former president Joyce Banda and the entire party for their support and I wish PP well.”

On his next political move, Ngalande said he will announce the same when time is ripe.

But Mussa said PP will not be affected by Ngalande’s resignation, describing him as an inactive member for a long time.

He said: “There are a number of people, including Ngalande himself, who just stood on a PP ticket in the last [May 20 2014] Tripartite Elections and after losing, they ceased to be active. People are free to join a party and move out and I have a list of people who are no longer active, but we have not been affected as a party.”

Since losing the 2014 elections, PP has lost several NGC members, including former Cabinet minister Sosten Gwengwe, who was a running mate to Banda, George Zulu, Brown Mpinganjira, Cassim Chilumpha and last week Moses  Kunkuyu, who was minister of Information and Civic Education in Banda’s Cabinet.