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| National |
| UDF cracks irreversible |
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by
Pilirani Semu-Banda, 10 November 2004
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09:12:50
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UDF Secretary General Kennedy Makwangwala and national executive member Dumbo Lemani said on Tuesday the party is divided between those that are working in government and the gurus leading the party.
They added the two different sides might not be able to work together again.
The two were speaking in light of a letter the UDF has written President Bingu wa Mutharika’s advisor Francis Mphepo stopping him from mobilising party supporters to attend the president’s functions.
Makwangwala said it is only the party secretariat that is responsible of getting people together to go and attend any rally and not anyone from government.
“I wrote Mr. Mphepo three weeks ago and told him not to use the party machinery because he is now a presidential advisor and he shouldn’t meddle with party issues,” said Makwangwala.
He said the party gurus and those in government are “just too divided” despite that the party “paved way for those in government to be where they are”.
“They have been working like a different UDF from the genuine one and they have been going behind our back to mobilise supporters to attend rallies. I am not sure if we will be able to work as one at the rate things are moving,” said Makwangwala.
He said the party does not want government to use public resources for party business.
Lemani agreed with Makwangwala saying there should be “separation of powers” between the UDF and government.
“After all, the President already said that UDF is not a ruling party so let the party do its job and government should do its business as well,” said Lemani.
Mphepo refused to comment on the matter.
A highly placed source told Weekend Nation last Friday that National Director of Women Affairs Joyce Banda and the party’s Director of Research George Chaponda are being dismissed because they are perceived to have realigned themselves with Mutharika and not the party.
Since May 24, 2004 when Mutharika took over from UDF national chair Bakili Muluzi, cracks have been noted in the party.
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