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| National |
| UDF regrets supporting Mutharika |
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by
Pilirani Semu-Banda, 18 November 2004
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09:15:34
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The UDF has said it regrets supporting Bingu wa Mutharika and immediately suspended three regional executive members, accusing them of reporting “lies” about party chairman Bakili Muluzi and his executive members to the President.
Regional governor (South) John Chikakwiya said at a press briefing in Blantyre that party deputy regional governor Samson Msosa, regional secretary (Women’s Desk) Beatrice Kanjala and regional executive member Alefa Wenzulo have been suspended because “they are trying to bring confusion to the heartbeat of the UDF which is in the Southern Region”.
He added that the three are free to appeal to UDF Nec on the decision.
Chikakwiya also accused the trio of being in the forefront in writing anonymous letters to Muluzi in the last three weeks calling for the formation of a task force to shake up the party and for the suspension of the regional governor who they accused of asking district governors in the region to boycott Mutharika’s rallies.
And party secretary general Kennedy Makwangwala threw the blame of all problems dogging the ruling party on the decision the party made to have Mutharika as president.
Makwangwala asked national executive member Dumbo Lemani who was complaining against Mutharika’s way of ruling, not to have any regrets “because you were the first people to encourage Atcheya [UDF national chair Bakili Muluzi] to support the idea of Bingu’s nomination as our presidential candidate”.
And in his response to Makwangwala, Lemani told journalists that people in the UDF are rebelling against him because of his support for Mutharika.
“You see now, a lot of people are rebelling against me for that,” said Lemani.
Makwangwala also said Mutharika’s former United Party (UP) is resurfacing in the Central Region and that government machinery is being used for that.
He said Mutharika does not care about the UDF or the people in it.
“Imagine when I was arrested I called the President to inform him of the incident and he told me that I was arrested because of my foolishness. How do you expect me to sit down at his rally and listen to him?” Queried Makwangwala.
He said the party has tried to hold discussions with “the government camp” but that this is not working.
“They don’t seem willing and we don’t want to force ourselves on them,” said Makwangwala.
He said Mutharika is failing to fund UDF members to attend his rallies and that he should not expect the party to spend its money on him.
And regional organising secretary Mc Donald Saimon said a party has been born within government and that proof of this is in Blantyre City East where government, through Mutharika’s political advisor Francis Mphepo, is fielding a different candidate from the UDF. He did not explain how.
Msosa said he could not comment on his suspension because he was out to Lilongwe and had not received a letter from the party.
Efforts to seek comments from former UP Secretary General Ken Ng’oma who is now Mutharika’s chief of staff, UDF regional governor (Central) Uladi Mussa and Mphepo proved futile as they could not be reached on their cellular phones.
Party spokesman Salule Masangwi said the party will keep on discussing its differences and that the country will see results if the discussions are successful or not.
The press briefing was also attended by NEC member Kaliyoma Phumisa and a number of district governors who pledged their support towards Chikakwiya and Muluzi.
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