President Lazarus Chakwera has spoken against the tendency of blocking other members from joining the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
He made the remarks at the opening of the party’s convention in Lilongwe, which was nearly postponed because the organizing committee barred candidates who were deemed new.
Amongst those that were dropped were Engineer Vitumbiko Mumbo who is going for the Vice Presidency, Alex Major and Chatinkha Chidzanja Nkhoma who were going the Secretary general’s office, among others.
“MCP is a mother party of all parties in Malawi. It is the people’s party. Everyone is open to join it any time, and contest for various position. This is not a tribal or a personal party,” he said
He however, did not directly touch on the legal battle.
According to chairperson for the Convention Steering Committee, Kezzie Msukwa, they were looking for those who have been registered as party members for previous two year and hold a position.
Further, he said they wanted candidates who have shown loyalty to the party and Chakwera, as well as those who have been active on the ground.
This prompted a member, Eddie Banda to drag the party to the High Court challenging the criteria of vetting nominations for candidates.
In his ruling, MCP judge Howard Pemba nullified the party’s stand saying the move contravenes the party constitution.
MCP appealed the to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SPA) to suspend the High Court ruling.
However, the appeal was withdrawn after SPA Judge Dingiswayo Madise ordered for the suspension on the convention until the matter is heard.
