KK chiefs want Chimunthu to rescind decision

Traditional Authorities (T/As) Kanyenda and Kafuzira, whose areas fall under Speaker of Parliament Henry Chimunthu Banda’s Nkhotakota North Constituency, have asked the Speaker not to take a ‘sabbatical leave’ from active politics between 2014 and 2019.

Chimunthu Banda on Tuesday announced he will not contest as a Member of Parliament (MP), saying he wants to give a chance to other aspirants and reflect on his next political undertakings.

But in separate interviews on Wednesday, the chiefs said they are shocked at Chimunthu Banda’s decision and they want him to reverse the decision by contesting again as MP in the 2014 Tripartite Elections.

T/A Kafuzira said: “Like many constituents, I am shocked at honourable’s [Chimunthu Banda] decision not to contest in next year’s elections. We still want him to contest because we believe he still has a lot of developmental projects to do for us. We hope he will reverse that decision.”

Chief Kafuzira confirmed Chimunthu Banda invited chiefs to brief them on his decision.

“We told him we still need him but he has acted against our wish,” he said.

Acting Senior Chief Kanyenda said he is not convinced by the reasons the MP gave.

“He was like our son and a good role model to many people not only for my area but also Nkhotakota District as a whole. Now there is nothing we can do, but we still think he can change his decision.”

Chimunthu Banda told The Nation that he has met the chiefs twice on his decision, which is final.

“At one of the meetings, there were 400 chiefs and they all refused to accept my decision. However, my decision is final and life has to move on. I will meet them [chiefs] again, but nothing will change. All I will say at the next meeting is that I will continue and finish with my development projects,” said Chimunthu Banda.