PP, DPP rejoice at Mzuzu RBM opening

In a rare spectacle on the local political scene, opposition People’s Party (PP) supporters yesterday danced alongside their governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) counterparts to mark the opening of Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Mzuzu Branch.

Outside the imposing building, the PP followers dressed in orange colours inscribed with the portrait of the party’s founder and the country’s former president Joyce Banda lined up the M1 Road section as DPP loyalists sung along and danced. Inside the RBM premises, former PP provincial governor the Reverend Christopher Mzomera Ngwira and former vice-president Khumbo Kachali stood side by side with President Peter Mutharika and Vice-President Saulos Chilima when they joined impi from Mzimba in ingoma dance.

Such was the marriage of colours that it sent some tongues wagging that Mzomera’s public appearance with Mutharika could be a sign that he is edging closer to rejoining DPP which he once served until the death of Bingu wa Mutharika in April 2012.

The two left the RBM premises in one vehicle which was mobbed by supporters in orange colours as it ventured into the highway.

In an interview, Mzomera dismissed the murmurs of his exodus to DPP, saying: “To me, it was a national event where the President was here to open the Reserve Bank branch. The former vice-president and I were invited and we saw it fit to welcome and support the event.”

Upgrading of earth roads to tarmacs and maintenance of Mzuzu Airport was part of the new deal for the Northern Region, Mutharika said.

Away from the venue, director of the PP women Cliffa Kondowe said they were there to escort Kachali whom they recognised as leader of the party.