Mzuzu-(Marapost)—Embattled former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has effected some changes in the party’s National Executive Committee (Nec) amidst infighting that has rocked the once mighty party.
According to a press statement issued by the party’s newly appointed spokesperson, Brown Mpinganjira, on 4th and 27th August, 2020, the party’s Central Committee held an indaba at its president Arthur Peter Mutharika’s current residence in Mangochi where the changes were effected.
“The Central Committee discussed various issues relevant to the rebuilding and strengthening of the Party after the 23rd June 2020 Presidential Elections. The Central Committee also considered all matters of interest and of concern to members of the DPP as received by the Central Committee through various means,” the statement reads in part.
Among other changes, the party central committee has elected Mr. Andrew Matemba as its Director of Elections, replacing Ben Malunga Phiri who recently resigned from the position on personal grounds; Brown Mpinganjira has replaced Nicholas Dausi and his deputy is Henry Mussa.
The party has also appointed Sheik Emran Mtenje as its Regional Governor responsible for the Eastern Region.
On the matter of the party’s Secretary General, Grezelder Jeffrey, the party Central Committee has disclosed the decision to fire her has been rescinded and the matter has been referred to the party’s disciplinary committee to determine her fate.
George Chaponda has been appointed to chair the disciplinary hearing.
Recently, some senior members of the party have been championing for change of the party’s leadership.
Jeffrey and others have publicly declared that it is time for APM to relinquish power to other diehards of the party to take up its presidency. The idea seem not to have gone down well with the 23 June, 2020 defeated Mutharika; hence his decision to fire Jeffrey from her position.
Mutharika once told Nec members of the party that he is not giving up the party’s presidency until its next convention in 2023.
Quizzed on the future of Nicholas Dausi who was the party’s publicist, Brown Mpinganjira said nothing has changed as him and Henry Mussa have been appointed to complement Dausi’s job.
However, commentators have said practically Dausi has been fired considering that the duty that will be performed by Mpinganjira is similar to what Dausi was doing.
