LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has disciplined its Chief Whip in Parliament Sam Dalitso Kawale over his Facebook post that purportedly MCP president Lazarus Chakwera will be the MCP/UTM alliance torchbearer in the fresh presidential elections.

Kawale, who is also MCP legislator for Dowa North East Constituency, leaked details of the MCP/UTM alliance after registering for the 2020 fresh presidential elections.

“Ready to vote for Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, the Torch Bearer of the grand alliance. Kwachaa,” wrote Kawale.

The development did not go well with officials from other parties’ partners arguing that Kawale conduct is detrimental to the gland alliance who torchbearer choice is left between UTM leader Dr. Saulos Chilima and Chakwera.

Later on Friday, April 30, 2020, Kawale pulled out the Facebook post then sent an apology which he later removed it also.

The apology post reads; “Esteemed Tonse Alliance partners, it is with a heavy heart that I withdrew the post I made on this page regarding the Torchbearer of the grouping. My comments were made out of sheer excitement. And my post did not in any way reflect the position of MCP .

“It was indicated clearly that alliance signing ceremony that the candidate will be unveiled at the right time after our leaders make a choice. And we all have to go by that choice and support the candidate. I sincerely apologize to all those that were offended by my post”.

Consequently, MCP leadership summoned Kawale to disciplinary committee on the matter on April 1, 2020 at the party’s headquarters.

In a leaked letter signed by MCP Secretary General Eisenhower Mkaka to Kawale, the party expressed sadness over his conduct.

Although Mkaka disowned the letter as fake, the party has banned Kawale from commenting on anything on the alliance.

The letter reads, ” It has been brought to the attention of my office through the office of MCP president over what has been described as an insensitive Facebook post that you purportedly posted on your page, “Sam and Malla Kawale.

The post was taken down from the page after some reservations from some followers who include high ranking party officials.

The president is highly devastated with the post, worse still, you opted not to show any remorse to your actions by outrightly telling off some observers, saying you didnt see anything wrong with what you did.

Much as the issue of grand Alliance Torch bearer has been discussed internally, and you are pretty much aware of the oath that all the inner circles was subjected to, taking out this issue to the public domain during this sensetive period is uncalled for, I sensational and unprofessional on your part.

Discussing this issue in public can be recipe for reconsideration of a stand by our main Alliance partner UTM, who are equally interested in the country’s presidency.

UTM’s pulling out of the alliance will be detrimental to our quest to a resounding victory.

UTM’s influence in the vote can’t be underestimated.

In short, we can’t achieve our goal without UTM, hence a need to play our cards right.

It is against this background that I extended my invitation to you to appear before a special committee at the party headquarters this Saturday, 1st May 2020 at 15:30 hours.

Further, you are restrained from making any comment regarding the alliance up untill your matter is heard .

We look forward to your presence.

Eisenhower Mkaka, Secretary General.

UTM member told the publication that Kawale knows exactly behind what is inside the alliance agreement hence the post.

“Nhhani iyiyi Kawale amaziwa zomwe amakamba (Kawale knows what he was taking above”, says the source.

The MCP and UTM entered into an alliance last month and it was expected that the torchbearer of the alliance will either be Chakwera or UTM leader Chilima.

The torchbearer will be officially unveiled next week during the presentation of nomination papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).

There is also speculation that the alliance which includes other parties such as People’s Party and Alliance for Democracy will be called Tonse Alliance.

On Wednesday, April 29, 2020 Chakwera held a press conference where a banner with the name Tonse Alliance was displayed.

UTM spokesperson Joseph Chidanti Malunga has since told the local media that such information would be communicated later.

Malawi is expected to go for fresh presidential elections following February 3, 2020 Constitutional Court (ConCourt) nullification of May 21, 2019 polls.