Chaponda wears Leader of Opposition shoes

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has named Mulanje South West legislator George Thapatula Chaponda as Leader of Opposition in Parliament, replacing Kondwani Nankhumwa who relinquished the position following his expulsion from the party.

Nankhumwa, the Mulanje Central legislator and former DPP vice-president responsible for the South, on Monday formally vacated a court order that barred the DPP from removing him from the position. He has since formed People’s Development Party (PDP).

In a statement yesterday, DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba said the party was grateful to Thyolo Thava legislator Mary Navicha, who was appointed to replace Nankhumwa but did not serve in that capacity due to the injunction.

Reads the statement in part: “The Democratic Progressive Party is pleased to announce the immediate appointment of Hon Dr George Thapatula Chaponda, MP, as the new Leader of Opposition in Parliament and Hon Lonnie Chijere Chirwa, MP, as Commissioner in Parliament.”

Chaponda said he was yet to see the communication on his appointment, but Namalomba confirmed the issue and that the party has also made changes to other leadership positions in Parliament.

Following the formal removal of the injunction on Monday, DPP director of legal affairs Charles Mhango said the party was happy with the outcome of the court matter, saying issues that were blocking operations of the office of Leader of Opposition in Parliament had been removed.

He also indicated that the court has set May 13 2024 as a date for the pre-trial conference, stating: “Mind you, it is only the injunction which has been vacated, but the case is yet to be withdrawn. Maybe our colleagues are worried about the issue of legal costs, and would want to have a discussion with us first before withdrawing.”

Meanwhile, Namalomba has said Rumphi North legislator Jappie Mhango is Whip, while he remains Deputy Whip.

On January 20 this year, DPP central committee expelled Nankhumwa, Zomba Chisi legislator Mark Botomani and former secretary general Grezelder Jeffrey.

The party also fired former director of women Cecilia Chazama, former publicity secretary Nicholas Dausi and members Joe Thomas Nyirongo and Ken Msonda.

They were accused of undermining Mutharika’s authority and disrespecting party leadership contrary to Article 6 of the DPP constitution for calling, leading and attending the December 6 2023 nullified national governing council meeting in Lilongwe.

Nankhumwa became the Leader of Opposition on June 29 2020 following DPP’s loss in the court-sanctioned fresh presidential election on June 23 2020. However, Mutharika had appointed former Nsanje Central legislator Francis Kasaila for the role, only to be upstaged by Nankhumwa and team.

Prior to his expulsion, he was at the centre of the debacle in the DPP, which put him at loggerheads with senior party members, including Mutharika.

Cracks in DPP came to light after embattled DPP secretary general Grezelder Jeffrey in August 2020 told The Nation that Mutharika had done his part and that the party needed a new person to lead it into the future.