PP boots out Ngwira

People’s Party (PP) has expelled former provincial chairperson and member of Parliament for Mzimba Hora Christopher Mzomera Ngwira following allegations that he was involved in the fracas which ended in violence at a meeting in Mzuzu on Sunday.

PP has since planned to write the Speaker to reallocate Ngwira from his seat with other PP MPs in Parliament when it resumes meeting on February 22.

The party has described Ngwira’s actions as undemocratic after he failed to change following his sacking as provincial chairperson for the North last August.

Ngwira has voiced his dissent against the appointment of PP vice-president (political) Uladi Mussa as the caretaker leader and instead promoted prodigal son Khumbo Kachali as party president.

Speaking at a press conference in Lilongwe yesterday, PP secretary general Ibrahim Matola said there was no need to hold a convention to replace Ngwira and several other vacant positions in the party because he was merely appointed not elected.

Before his expulsion, PP held a disciplinary hearing on September 30 2015 whose findings and recommendations were communicated to him on December 15 2015 when he was removed as provincial chairperson with the understanding that he would change his behaviour or face drastic measures.

“People’s Party practises intra-party democracy, we encourage freedom of expression and opinion suffice to say that democracy is not an open cheque to do things the way you want or think. Rev Christopher Mzomera Ngwira’s undemocratic line of thinking can no longer be tolerated, hence his expulsion,” Matola said.

The expulsion reduces the number of PP MPs in Parliament by one from 26, but Matola said the party is not worried.

“It is better to have one or two MPs who are vibrant and loyal and contribute effectively in the House than one who brings problems to the party,” he said.

The wrangles in the party are happening at a time when party president Joyce Banda has been out of the country for over 18 months.