MCP’s emergency convention case starts: District Chairmen testifies

As battle for leadership in the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) continues, the High Court in Lilongwe on Monday started hearing a case where some disgruntled MCP officials sued the Party for failure to call for an emergency convention.

The disgruntled MCP officials sweated for close to five hours answering questions from the party’s lawyer Wapona Kita.

The district Chairmen who were four in total argued that Chakwera was violating the constitution by removing officials in top positions without consulting anyone, saying the act was illegal.

The district chairmen who are said to be sponsored by Chatinkha Chizanja Nkhoma to dethrone Chakwera said the Party constitution does not give Chakwera powers to remove anyone one from his position and that can only happen at the convention.

But Kita quashed the claims, rendering the District Chairmen hopeless.

MCP squabbles reached at the climax last week Wednesday when the Party led by Chakwera fired Salima Central Member of Parliament Felix Jumbe and suspended Jessie Kabwila, Joseph Njobvuyalema.

The Party also dismissed Chatinkha Chizanja Nkhoma and other MCP top officials.

Kabwila and Njobvuyalema were suspended for having a hand in the botched torching of MCP offices in the capital Lilongwe two weeks ago and the case is in court.

Meanwhile Chakwera has admitted that the party is passing through troubled waters.