DPP, enstranged members given full trial
The High Court in Lilongwe has today given former governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and its four estranged members, including vice-president for the South Kondwani Nankhumwa 42 days to prepare for full trial, in a case in which the four members are challenging their expulsion from the party .
The court met today in the chambers for a scheduling conference .
The four, including secretary general Grezelder Jeffrey, treasurer general Jappie Mhango and Mulanje West legislator Yusuf Nthenda were fired for allegedly influencing the rejection of DPP leader Peter Mutharika’s appointee, former Nsanje Central legislator Francis Kasaila, as Leader of Opposition in Parliament to replace Nankhumwa.
The two sides later agreed to settle their differences through a mediation process, but the talks collapsed, forcing High Court Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda, who led the negotiations, to refer the case for full trial.
Lawyer for the claimants, Cassius Chidothe, told Nation Online that his team applied for amendment of statements and the court granted it adding that the defence will also amend its statements.
Chidothe further said both sides will have to exchange witness statements and later exchange skeletal arguments.
The claimants are expected to parade four witness while the defence will parade one witness according to the lawyer.
The court is yet to set date for trial .
