Tag Archives: John Bond Kamwambi

Politics

UTM Northern regional treasurer Lusubilo Kamwambi defects to DPP ahead of Karonga Northwest by-election

Maravi Post Author

By Jordan Simeon-Phiri, MEC Stringer

KARONGA-(MaraviPost)-In a sudden twist of events, the UTM Party Northern regional treasurer Lusubilo Kamwambi, young brother to the fallen Member of Parliament for Karonga Northwest constituency James Kamwambi has dumped the party and swiftly defected to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in readiness for the forthcoming by-election slated for March 30, 2021.

In his resignation letter addressed to the party’s regional governor Dr. Moses Malunga, Kamwambi cites lack of intraparty democracy in the party, citing barring of aspiring candidates to contest at a primary elections to elect the party?s torch bearer on March 30 during the pending by-elections.

Kamwambi in his letter further alleges that poor leadership and corruption of national executive committee (NEC), Regional, District and Constituency committees has left him with no option but to resign as the party?s regional purse keeper and cease the UTM party member.

Reads the letter in part: ?I have always been excited and satisfied with the UTM party philosophy and the leadership of Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima. However, my resignation is so unfortunate that it will always have reference to the poor leadership of NEC, regional, district and constituency committees.

“This leadership has been so corrupt in its party management and has no interest in advancing party ethics and the democracy that Dr. Chilima envisions. The leadership is more destroying than building?.

In an interview, Kamwambi said failure by UTM party to hold fair and transparent primary elections in any election is paramount for a democractic world.

He has since pledged to tirelessly work with his new party to develop the area in areas such as road infrastructure, health and education once ushered into Parliament.

DPP deputy regional governor for the North Councillor Smart Mwakayira said the coming in of Kamwambi into the DPP has strengthened the party and has enhanced its chances of retaining the seat.

However, addressing the media at Karonga Inn after unveiling its candidate for the pending by-election, UTM party National Publicity Secretary Frank Mwenifumbo said the party opened its doors up to Monday evening for every aspirant to express their willingness to contest on primary elections that were scheduled on Tuesday but the two people (Kamwambi and Fwasani Silungwe never turned up.

He said it took the party to look for them in their respective homes and Silungwe withdrew his interest while Kamwambi told them that he was pondering on joining DPP.

?Our party is independent and democratic because we followed all the set up protocol to identify aspirants so that out of that, we should find an ideal candidate. So, since the two are nowhere to be seen, I have been given Felix Katwafu Kayira whose name will be taken to our Secretary General, Patricia Kaliati,? Mwenifumbo said.

Meanwhile, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has received one aspirant Daniel Chitonya Mwanyongo for the primary elections to be held on Saturday.

According to the party?s district chairperson Emmanuel Nkhoma, the party?s door is still open for other possible candidates.  

Malawi

Hailstorm displaces over 700 families in Karonga, DPP MP Kamwambi accused of selective assistance

Maravi Post correspondent

Hailstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall has on Wednesday displaced over 749 families in Karonga, officials have confirmed.

The most affected areas include six villages in Traditional Authority Kyungu, namely Zindi with 328, Mweneguwe 89, Katolola 86, Mwandwanga 13, Mwahimba 189 and Mbemba 44.

Confirming the development, councilor for the area Harry Mwanyembe said the victims are in need of food and shelters.

Mwanyembe described the development as the first in the history of the area.

“People’s lives and properties are in danger here because of this development. They have nowhere to sleep or something to eat, all their food and properties were affected on the day,” said Mwanyembe.

It has also been confirmed that number of the school going children especially from the affected families failed to attend classes because their school materials were affected.

Officials inspecting one of the affected houses

“Some of the school going children are helping their parents to take care of their affected properties apart from the fact that their school materials were completely destroyed during the day,” added Mwanyembe.

Speaking to this reporter, some of the affected families attacked their Member of Parliament John Bond Kamwambi under the ruling Democratic Progressive Party for being selective in distributing materials like timbers to the victims.

“He is only helping families that are members of his party, as of us we have no where to depend on hence we are calling for the well-wishers to bail out our problems,” said the victims.

Efforts to talk to the MP proved futile as his number could not be reached.