Minister of Trade and Industry Vitumbiko Mumba has proposed an out-of-court settlement to resolve the dispute over Malawi Congress Party (MCP) parliamentary primary elections in Mzimba Central Constituency purportedly held on May 11 2025.
Through his lawyer Khumbo Bonzoe Soko, the aspirant has also proposed an agenda for the meeting to include an update on the verification exercise of the electoral college and date to hold fresh polls.
Soko | Nation
In a letter to MCP secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda, Soko said: “In our estimation, the dispute can easily be resolved through open and sincere dialogue. The benefits of this proposed path are obvious and will ensure that the parties do not engage in a protracted and costly legal battle.”
The other agenda items would be administration of the election, venue, date, time and security arrangements, according to the letter.
MCP lawyer Gift Dick Chimowa, in an interview yesterday, said the party has always been willing to resolve internal disputes out of court.
He said: “Going to court should always be the last resort. I am sure that a position will be reached where each party will be satisfied after discussions. MCP is very willing to talk.”
In the disputed polls, presiding officer and MCP national executive committee member Maxwell Thyolera declared that Mumba got five votes while presidential adviser on rural development Adamson Kuseri Mkandawire won with 262 votes.
On the day of the primaries, Mumba first tried to stop the polls through the courts in Lilongwe, but was advised that the matter be handled by the High Court of Malawi in Mzuzu.
Later on May 16, Mumba obtained a seven-day order from the High Court in Mzuzu compelling MCP to conduct primaries in the areas using delegates agreed by all stakeholders during a January 17 2025 meeting at Euthini.
There are also other areas where the party has been dragged to court over disputed primaries, including Kasungu South West and Lilongwe Msozi constituencies.
