After summoning the Southern Region’s former vice president, Kondwani Nankhumwa, and three others accused of organizing the December 6, 2023, National Governing Council (NGC) meeting, additional members from Nankhumwa’s camp are now facing disciplinary committee inquiries.
According to sources, figures like Nicholas Dausi, Ralph Jooma, and Ken Msonda have also been summoned in connection to their attendance at the alleged “illegal” NGC meeting, which reportedly lacked approval from party president Peter Mutharika.
On Friday, the party’s deputy national organizing secretary, Kondwani Ng’ong’ola, deputy director for international relations Baxter Kita, Ralph Jooma, and others appeared before the disciplinary committee. Similar to their colleagues on Thursday, they refrained from speaking to the media, as directed by the committee.
The ongoing summoning process indicates that all members who participated in the NGC meeting will face the disciplinary committee. However, some, including Uladi Mussa, characterize the hearings as more of an expulsion than a disciplinary process, criticizing what they perceive as undemocratic actions by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Uladi Mussa expressed concern about the lack of true leadership within the DPP, contrasting the current situation with the disciplinary committee during the time of former party leader Bingu wa Mutharika. He anticipates that the resolutions will lead to expulsions from the party.
Political and governance analyst Wonder Mkutche sees the disciplinary hearings as a strategy by the DPP to weaken Nankhumwa and his key supporters within the party. Mkutche suggests that the repositioning of Nankhumwa’s camp within the party reflects an attempt to minimize their impact. The Analyst also notes that Nankhumwa’s position as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament is at risk.
Chimwemwe Tsitsi, another political analyst, views the hearings as a potential strategy to either expel perceived offenders or impose penalties such as the removal of their positions. Tsitsi, however, questions the wisdom of expelling members from the party, citing the court’s ruling affirming individuals’ right to belong to any political party.
The disciplinary committee, consisting of Jean Kalilani, Apostle Timothy Khoviwa, Charles Mhango, Paul Gadama, and Lonnie Chijere Phiri, is overseeing the proceedings.
