Mchacha says ‘unruly’ DPP members risk expulsion

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regional governor for the South Charles Mchacha has warned that the former governing party will start expelling members who disrespect the party’s leadership.

Speaking at a rally the party held at Bangwe ground in Blantyre yesterday, he said there were individuals bent on destroying, dividing and tarnishing the image of the party. He said the party will not tolerate that in its fold.

Said Mchacha: “The party has rules that we must all respect. However, we have some individuals who are bringing confusion in the party by disrespecting our leader, Peter Mutharika. These people have made DPP appear as a lawless entity.

“So, we are saying enough is enough. If someone feels they don’t need the party, they must just leave and form their own party.”

He further said the party will also not allow anyone to hold rallies under the DPP banner without permission from the leadership.

The sentiments come against a background of a recent rally addressed by estranged DPP vice-president for the South Kondwani Nankhumwa, who is also Leader of Opposition and leads a breakaway DPP camp which is pushing for Mutharika’s removal, held in Nyambadwe in Blantyre.

Mchacha accused Nankhumwa of holding the rally without the the party’s blessings.

But Nankhumwa is on record as having said he needed no permission from the party leadership as he leads the party in the South as its vice-president.

However, Mchacha said holding rallies without the party’s permission is tantamount to disrespect to the party leadership.

Taking his turn during the rally, DPP national executive committee member George Chaponda called for unity in the party.

He said for the DPP to win the 2025 Presidential Election, there is need for the party’s presidential aspirants to work together.

Chaponda said: “When we were in opposition, no one gave us a chance. I was Leader of Opposition then, but discipline kept our party strong.

“We managed to bounce back because we were united under my leadership as Leader of Opposition which is not the case today.”

He said the Tonse Alliance administration has failed to deliver on the promises that it made both on economic and leadership fronts.

Chaponda further cited the rise in prices of basic commodities as a sign that the President Lazarus Chakwera-led government has failed to solve the problems Malawians have been facing.

He also blamed the current government over persistent blackouts which he said have paralysed businesses in the country.

The Bangwe rally was also attended by two of the party’s presidential aspirants Joseph Mwanamvekha and Dalitso Kabambe. Mwanamvekha served as minister of Finance while Kabambe was the central bank governor during the DPP administration.

The infighting is happening after the party’s functional review committee already warned that divisions are condemning the party to its slow death.

The committee also cast doubt on whether the party’s main leadership organ, the central committee, was behaving in the interest of the party.

The wrangles started before the court-sanctioned Fresh Presidential Election held on June 23 2020, but deep divisions came to light in August 2020 after estranged secretary general Grezelder Jeffrey told The Nation that DPP president Mutharika had done his part and that there was need for new leadership.

Mutharika lost the court-ordered June 23 2020 Fresh Presidential Election to the nine-party Tonse Alliance led by MCP president Lazarus Chakwera who partnered Mutharika’s then estranged Vice-President Saulos Chilima of UTM Party.