Politicians scramble to attend PAC meet
There is confusion among political parties towards the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) Fifth All-inclusive Stakeholders’ Conference as in a last-minute effort politicians want to attend the meeting to boost party presence at the conference.
Among them is the ruling Democratic Progressive (DPP), some of whose members on Tuesday called PAC directly asking to attend the conference despite their names not appearing on the list of those invited.
PAC executive director Robert Phiri confirmed the development, adding that it is not only members of the DPP but also those from United Democratic Front (UDF) and People’s Party (PP) wanted to attend although their parties did not nominate them.
Phiri said: “That is true, but I cannot tell you the names of those who wanted to attend the meeting. We were given seven representatives from government and these are Goodall Gondwe, Jappie Mhango, Hetherwick Ntaba, Bright Msaka, Yacinta Chikaonda, Samuel Tembenu and Henry Mussa. But still, there are some who wanted to come, but we have advised them to remove someone from government list and they replace.”
“There are also others from PP and UDF who wanted to come, but we told them that only invited people will attend this meeting. No self-sponsored people will be allowed.”
The conference is scheduled to take place at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre from this morning to Thursday.
UDF publicity secretary Ken Ndanga on Tuesday said they are fine with how PAC have advised them.
“We have been told that only general secretary and publicity secretary will be allowed to attend the meeting. It is fine with us, I do not see any harm,” said Ndanga.
