Jappie promises to give DPP facelift
The newly-appointed Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) vice-president for the North Jappie Mhango has promised to turn the the Northern Region into the party’s stronghold.
The sentiments follow his appointment yesterday to replace former minister of Finance the late Goodall Gondwe who died on August 8 this year.
In a statement DPP issued yesterday signed by party spokesperson Shadric Namalomba, Mhango’s appointment was with immediate effect.
“The central executive committee of the party, chaired by the president [Peter Mutharika] met yesterday to approve this appointment in accordance with article 9 (5a) of the DPP constitution,” he said.
In an interview yesterday, Mhango expressed excitement, saying it is an indication that DPP has confidence in him.
He said he is aware that the position is challenging, but vowed to put in the much needed effort to revamp the party in the Northern Region.
Said Mhango: “As a party, we came out of power some years ago and it is our wish that we get back into government. Obviously, my task will be to make sure that the party in the North, particularly, gets rejuvenated.
“We need to grow the party and the party will only grow if we come up with policies that are intended to better the lives of Malawians. But in doing so, I will make sure that I work with all people from the grass roots.”
Mhango, who served as the party’s campaign director between 2014 and 2018 before he was elected as treasure general at the 2018 DPP convention, said he will be holding two positions of vice president and his treasure general.
Commenting on the matter, political and social commentator Humphrey Mvula questioned Mhango’s appointment, saying it has come too early.
He observed that the party should have waited a bit in respect of Gondwe who was among the DPP senior and long-serving members.
“I think by appointing Jappie Mhango, it is a divide and rule tactic aimed at weakening the Nankhumwa camp. They should have waited for convention to fill that position. There was no need to give somebody any advantage,” said Mvula.
On September 29 2023, High Court Judge Simeon Mdeza nullified the resolution of the DPP national governing council (NGC) meeting held on July 3 2023 and ordered the party to hold its convention within 90 days.
DPP vice president for the South Kondwani Nankhumwa and three others had asked the court to declare null and void the party’s resolutions of its July meeting, arguing that the current NGC was not properly constituted and cannot therefore make any legitimate resolutions.
The judge further ordered that only candidates who are eligible under the party’s constitution must contest or stand for positions at the convention.
At the July meeting, the party, among others, set up a disciplinary committee that resolved to fire Mwanza Central legislator Nicholas Dausi as DPP member and party publicity secretary.
On September 22 2023, Dausi obtained an injunction against the party’s decision to remove him from the post
