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Aford summons three MPs
By
Our Reporter - 02-07-2002 |
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Barely a week after suspending secretary general Dan Msowoya and publicity secretary Manifesto Kayira, the Aford disciplinary committee last week summoned MPs, Mapesi Gondwe (Rumphi West), Rodger Nkhwazi (Mzuzu City) and Green Mwamondwe (Karonga North West).
Msowoya and Kayira were summoned after differing with a national executive committee (NEC) decision to let MP for Karonga Nyungwe MP Khwauli Msiska table a bill proposing an open term for the country’s president.
Nkhwazi, Mwamondwe and Gondwe were called because they criticised Aford leader Chakufwa Chihana, accusing him of dictatorial behaviour by allegedly bulldozing MPs to support his personal interests, according Nkhwazi.
“I was summoned alongside Mwamondwe on Sunday, two days after they had summoned Mapesi. But we (Nkhwazi and Mwamondwe) did not attend the hearing because the invitation was strange,” said Nkhwazi yesterday.
“We (Mwamondwe and Nkhwazi) have not been to the Aford office in Lilongwe for a long time, and to be invited at night (Sunday) to attend the hearing at 8:30AM (the following day), was very strange and we decided not to go,” said Nkhwazi, claiming that Gondwe went but just lashed out at the committee.
Gondwe could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Msowoya said he defended his stand to uphold the resolution of the party’s convention and refused to sign a document asking him to apologise and promise his loyalty to the party’s leadership and compliance to each and every decision taken by NEC.
“If my crime was that I was upholding resolutions made by over 800 delegates from across the country who went to the convention, then it is a good crime and I can walk tall for committing it because as representatives of the people we must espouse their aspirations.
“You cannot claim to be a leader when you boycott your subjects and take your own path. Aford needs to be redirected and reshaped, and some individuals who have gone astray must be retrieved or they will perish,” said Msowoya, speaking for the first time since appearing before the disciplinary committee two weeks ago.
An Aford NEC meeting three weeks ago resolved to allow Msiska to table a bill proposing an amendment to the Constitution to open up terms for the president.
But a few days after the meeting, Kayira issued a press statement saying that Msiska would be disciplined by the party for violating a resolution of the party’s convention on the issue.
“I was accused of not restraining Kayira from issuing the release, and that I associate with MCP President, Gwanda Chakuamba and NDA leader Brown Mpinganjira on account that both these leaders and I belong to the Seventh Day Adventist,” said Msowoya.
Kayira did not comment on the matter when contacted.
The disciplinary committee was composed of members of the party: among them, a Mr Chima, a Mr Liyazi, Gregory Phiri, Hopkins Munyenyembe.
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