DPP moves on house leaders

Erstwhile governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has written Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara, proposing changes in the leadership composition of the opposition bloc.

In its communication, DPP has asked Parliament to remove Mulanje Central member of Parliament (MP) as Leader of Opposition in Parliament and replace him with Mulanje South West legislator George Chaponda.

DPP secretary general Clement Mwale in an interview yesterday confirmed the proposed changes and that of the whole opposition benches’ leadership in the House.

He said: “We have actually written Parliament on the stand of the party and we are just waiting for Parliament to effect the changes.

“So, in the submitted names, we have the names as Dr George Chaponda as Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Honourable Jappie Mhango as Chief Whip while Honourable Mary Navicha is Deputy Chief Whip. The letter was sent on Tuesday.

“We expect these changes beginning this coming sitting of Parliament. We are very optimistic with this team. Looking at the history, Dr Chaponda was Leader of DPP when Peoples Party [PP] was in government and he was very effective.”

Mwale said he expects the same effectiveness from Chaponda and that he will “hold government accountable”.

Mhango, who is treasurer and vice-president responsible for the North, will replace Nkhata Bay North West legislator Julius Chione Mwase while Navicha replaces Mangochi Central legislator Victoria Kingston.

In an interview yesterday, National Assembly spokesperson Ian Mwenye could neither deny nor confirm receiving the communication on the DPP leadership changes.

“I am consulting, I will comment later as to whether we have that communication and the actual contents,” he said.

DPP at the weekend expelled Nankhumwa, who was DPP vice-president responsible for the South, alongside 10 others after accusing them of undermining party leader Peter Mutharika’s authority and disrespecting party leadership contrary to Article 6 of the DPP constitution. The Nankhumwa faction was faulted mainly for calling, leading and attending the December 6 2023 nullified national governing council (NGC) meeting in Lilongwe.

DPP also fired Zomba Chisi MP Mark Botomani who was serving as Public Accounts Committee of Parliament chairperson, former secretary general Grezelder Jeffrey, former director of women Cecelia Chazama, publicity secretary Nicholas Dausi and executive members Joe Thomas Nyirongo and Ken Msonda.

In separate interviews, they all denied receiving expulsion letters from DPP.

But Mwale, who admitted delays to sending the letters, insisted yesterday that they were sent to them.

Meanwhile, governance analyst George Chaima yesterday said the power lies with the Speaker to decide whether to accommodate any recommendation from the DPP.

“The expelled members have to appeal against the decision through courts or take it and forge ahead by joining other existing political parties or form a new one,” he said.

The battle to have Nankhumwa replaced started in 2020 when DPP wrote Parliament to replace him with the then Nsanje Central legislator Francis Katsaila.

However, Nankhumwa obtained an injunction against his removal.

Later, on June 26 2022 in Mangochi, DPP officials elected Chaponda to replace Nankhumwa, but 22 party legislators obtained an injunction restraining Chaponda from acting in that capacity.

When DPP was in power Nankhumwa also replaced Chaponda as Leader of the House and later became the party’s vice-president for the South during a convention where then incumbent, Chaponda, withdrew from the race.

Standing Order 35 (1) of the National Assembly states that the Leader of Opposition shall be elected by the party not in government,  having the greatest numerical strength in Parliament.

Cracks in DPP came to light after 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, calling for an early convention.