PP factions for mediation
People’s Party (PP) members who challenged the appointments of their new leadership have welcomed the decision of the High Court for the two factions to resolve their differences within the party structures.
Five PP members, including national organising secretary Salim Bagus, obtained an injunction blocking the appointment of Uladi Mussa as acting president and Kamlepo Kalua as third vice-president.
They argued that party president Joyce Banda unilaterally made the decisions without consulting the national governing council (NGC).
But High Court judge Dingiswayo Madise last week vacated the injunction and referred the matter to PP legal affairs sub-committee to summon concerned parties to a hearing within 14 days and resolve the matter amicably within the party’s structures.
The judge’s decision followed a challenge by Banda, Mussa and Kalua who argued that the applicants flouted the PP constitution in rushing to seek legal redress.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, Bagus said his camp is ready to go for the hearing and is waiting for a date to be fixed.
He said all his camp wants is to see that the constitution is being respected and that the party moves as one. He said upholding the constitution is key to party building.
Kalua, who suspects that the injunction was directed at him, said it is important that dialogue should be given a chance. He said without dialogue, it is hard for a party to move as one.
He said conflicting views on party matters have to be handled by the party to ensure that there is unity.
PP administrative secretary Ken Msonda, who is also party spokesperson, said the party is working to have the meeting and it will ensure that it takes place within the period specified by court.
PP has been embroiled in wrangles in the wake of Banda’s absence since losing the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections. Mid last year, fired provincial governor (North) the Reverend Christopher Mzomera Ngwira was suspended for pushing former vice-president Khumbo Kachali as PP interim president.
