Fired DPP members demand reinstatement
Three people who were dismissed from their positions in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the Northern Region are seeking reinstatement before Tuesday.
The three, Ackim Mwanza, Kelvin Chirambo and Joyce Chikukula, have threatened to seek legal remedies if not reinstated.
Mwanza was dismissed from the position of regional governor on December 11, 2022, while Chirambo, who was Director of Youth and Chikukula, who was Director of Women, were fired from their positions on March 31, 2023.
In a demand letter from their lawyer George Kadzipatike, the three argue that their dismissals were not only unfair, unreasonable and in violation of principles of natural justice, but also create a bad impression that the DPP is lawless and does not follow its own constitution.
“The DPP dismissed our clients without either consulting them or affording them their right to be heard. Our clients are gravely aggrieved by the decisions to dismiss them as the DPP did not give the three any valid reason for the decisions.
“In our considered view, the fact that the Administrative Secretary who, communicated the dismissals, did not provide reasons for the dismissals of the three means that he and the party had no reasons for the decisions,” the letter reads.
The three are further questioning the rationale behind the firing of Mwanza and replacing him with Christopher Mzomera Ngwira who recently served a jail sentence.
Ngwira was convicted on October 16, 2020 and sentenced to four years imprisonment over abuse of Local Development Fund money when he was Member of Parliament for Mzimba Hora constituency.
The three argue in the letter that Article 6(1) iii of the DPP Constitution does not allow any person convicted of an offence involving murder, theft, corruption, dishonesty or moral turpitude to hold any leadership position in the party within a period of seven years from the date of such conviction.
“Having regard to the seriousness of the offence of which Rev. Mzomera Ngwira was convicted about three years ago, it is very clear to everyone including Your Excellency that Rev. Mzomera Ngwira is not eligible to hold any leadership position in the DPP…
“Otherwise, our clients will, on May 10, 2023, file a legal action against the DPP and Your Excellency in the High Court of Malawi, to seek the reliefs of reinstatement, damages and legal costs,” the letter reads.
It has been addressed to the party’s president Peter Mutharika.
Mutharika’s spokesperson, Shadric Namalomba asked for more time to consult on the matter.
