Juliana Lunguzi wins court case involving disputed Dedza East primaries

The High Court in Lilongwe has today ruled in favour of incumbent Member of Parliament for Dedza East (Malawi Congress Party-MCP), Juliana Lunguzi after her opponent in the party’s primary elections Patrick Bandawe failed to commence a case against the decision to declare her winner.

In November, MCP conducted primary elections in the constituency and the presiding officer declared Bandawe a winner.

The results attracted public outcry forcing the party led by its Publicity Secretary Reverend Maurice Munthali to call for an emergency meeting where Lunguzi was declared winner.

The development forced Bandawe to seek court intervention on the matter and he obtained an injuction restraining MCP from declaring Lunguzi winner of the Dedza East primaries.

When the case commenced today the High Court judge Kenyatta Nyirenda faulted Bandawe for failing to start the case.

According to the court, it has been 48 days since Bandawe applied for an injunction and 17 days since it was granted but he has not taken further action.

“To my mind the only reasonable explanation for the claimant’s (Bandawe) lack of interest in prosecuting the main action is that the action was not brought bona fide but for some other ulterior or collateral purpose,” Nyirenda has said.

Meanwhile Bandawe is yet to comment on the court ruling.