Newly-elected independent MP brushoffs DPP

The governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has received a cold shoulder from an independent Legislator of Lilongwe Mapuyu South Constituency Esther Kathumba, on its desperate move to recruit more newly-elected independent members of Parliament (MPs) to boost its numbers in parliament.

According to an audio clip going viral on social media, Esther Kathumba who floored veteran Malawi Congress Party (MCP) politician Joseph Njobvuyalema in Lilongwe Mapuyu south constituency told Chimwemwe Chipungu, the DPP organizing secretary off.

“As an independent candidate, I have [political choices] to make. I am sorry, I am will not be attending the meeting [at Kondwani Nankhumwa’s] house. Thanks for the invitation anyway,” said Kathumba.

Chipungu had called Kathumba to invite her for what he called networking meeting with independent members of parliament at Nankhumwa’s residence at Luchenza in Thyolo.

DPP says it has now recruited over 30 independent members of parliament out of the 55 voted into the 193-strong House.

The independent MPs met President Peter Mutharika on Saturday at Sanjika Palace and were enticed to work with government.