Goodall, Mhango humiliated in Mzuzu

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) youth cadets on Saturday walked out of a meeting convened by Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe and Deputy Minister of Defence Jappie Mhango in Mzuzu, arguing the two were in no position to hear their problems.

The cadets, 20 in number, have since been suspended for gross indiscipline pending a decision of DPP secretariat. During their suspension, they will not be allowed to attend or hold DPP meetings or engage in any activities in the name of the party.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, DPP regional governor (North) Kenneth Sanga confirmed the meeting boycott by the cadets and their subsequent suspension.

He said the youth wanted to present issues to party authorities and the two ministers, who hold senior party positions, decided to hear them out, but when Gondwe had started addressing them, the cadets walked out of the room, arguing the ministers were not the right people to hear their grievances.

Sanga said the act by the youth was gross indiscipline, which attracted suspension. He said Gondwe and Mhango are senior officials in the party and government who did not deserve such a humiliation.

He said: “The cadets walked out of the meeting, saying they were not seeking audience with the ministers. They did not say the issues they wanted to be addressed. Because of their rudeness, they have been suspended.”

DPP regional director of youth (North) Kelvin Chirambo, constituency governor (Mzuzu) Vincent Kaunda, district governor (Mzuzu) Aston Msukwa and district treasurer (Mzuzu) Boyd Phiri also condemned the humiliation of the ministers and supported suspension of the cadets.

Chirambo said the cadets were demanding petty issues that cannot help in the country’s development.

He said the cadets want to be accompanying President Peter Mutharika to meetings out of Mzuzu when the President made it clear that unnecessary travels are a threat to the country’s economy.

One of the suspended cadets, Gerald Maulana, said the cadets wanted to relay their concerns to the national director of youth. He said as youths, they wanted some changes in leadership in the region.

The party has also suspended regional treasurer (North) Sam Chirwa on disciplinary grounds, in a case not related to that of 20 cadets.