The former ruling Peoples Party (PP) has rescinded its last year’s decision of completely expelling Reverend Christopher Mzomera Ngwira formerly northern region provincial for undemocratic tendencies.
Reverend Ngwira’s complete expulsion from the party who is also a Member of Parliament for Mzimba Hola comes following the mayhem which occurred over the weekend when a faction led by Acting President Uladi Mussa and others allegedly led by former vice president Nkhumbo Kachali which Ngwira masterminded attacked each other, beating up some members in the process and leaving about nine people wounded.
In that regard, Ngwira was found guilty for being behind the fracas which contradicts earlier apology he made after the party returned him into the party following the September 2015 expulsion when he declared that former vice-president Khumbo Kachali should lead PP in the absence of founding President Joyce Banda.
Addressing the news conference on Tuesday, February 2 in the capital Lilongwe which was co-hosted by Clara Makungwa (National Director of Women), Ken Msonda (Administrative Secretary and Spokesperson), Ibrahim Matola (Secretary General) and Beston Majoni, the party hinted that undemocratic line of thinking Reverend Ngwira demonstrated was unaccepted and call for, arguing that it was better to remain with one member who is loyal than many who cause trouble.
Through the press statement issued also at the new conference, the party disclosed that plans were underway to pen The Speaker of Malawi Parliament on Ngwira’s expulsion that must be relocated to the other side of the house during the next mid-year review session slated for February 22.
“We would like to inform the general public that Reverend Christopher Mzomera Ngwira MP is no longer a member of Peoples Party with immediate effect. In view of his expulsion he ceases to be PP legislator for Mzimba Hola and the Speaker of Parliament shall be notified on this development to relocate him on his sitting arrangement in the August House.
“You may recall that Reverend Ngwira was suspended and subsequently expelled as PP’s Provincial Chairperson for the north following his behavior that put this party in disrepute. He made commitment and signed a letter that he shall no longer engage himself in a manner that will put this party in disrepute. The party made it very clear that drastic measures shall be taken against him should he not change”, says the Party’ statement which SG Matola signed.
The party further disclosed that it has been vindicated and taken this bold and tough decision to instill discipline saying PP practices intra-party democracy where it encourage freedom of expression and opinion as enshrined in our constitution.
“Suffice to say that democracy is not an open cheque and it comes with maturity and responsibility, adherence to the laws of the land, rules and regulations of our party. In a democratic dispensation people can agree to disagree but live together peacefully as such Reverend Ngwira’s undemocratic line of thinking can no longer be tolerated hence his expulsion”, concludes the party statement.
But when asked that firing of Ngwira as the party’s Member of Parliament as the decision might weakened PP’s strength in Parliament, the party defended the decision arguing that it was paramount important to have one member who is loyal than having many who cause trouble.
The party reminded the nation that its President Joyce Banda was in touch with the PP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and members saying she even indorsed Ngwira’s firing hence no need for panic and he has been replaced with Sherbone Mchizi in an acting capacity.