By Cathy Maulidi:
High Court Judge Simeon Mdeza has formally removed an injunction that was still keeping Kondwani Nankhumwa in the position of Leader of the Opposition.
With the injunction still in place, it was impossible for the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to appoint a Leader of the Opposition that would be recognised by the National Assembly.
The removal of the injunction means that DPP is now free to appoint a Leader of the Opposition, with the guarantee that Parliament would recognise that leader, according to DPP lawyer Charles Mhango.
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“We are thrilled with this development. Long at last, the party is free. We have overcome the battle. Now there is no injunction preventing the party from operating the office of Leader of the Opposition.
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“The party is free to do as it wishes on the Leader of the Opposition issue,” Mhango said.
Nankhumwa’s lawyer Gift Katundu told The Daily Times that the court has removed the injunction since Nankhumwa stopped pursuing the matter.
“He is no longer DPP; he has left the party and the Leader of the Opposition position. So, there was nothing to pursue here. Because of the decision he made, we were directed to stop challenging the matter,” Katundu said.
Last week, Nankhumwa announced that he had relinquished the position of Leader of the Opposition to focus on his newly registered People’s Development Party.
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He announced the formation of the party in Blantyre City.
