Saulos Chilima speaks today
Vice-President Saulos Chilima today holds a press briefing in Lilongwe to comment on recent political developments in the country.
“This is to communicate that Vice- President Dr Saulos Chilima will tomorrow [today], Wednesday June 6 2018, address a news conference at the Office of the Vice-President boardroom from 10am to comment on recent political developments,” reads a statement from the VP’s office.
The VP’s press officer, Pilirani Phiri, confirmed the development.
Recently, Chilima has publicly condemned deep-rooted corruption in the country and conduct by some ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cadets.
Meanwhile, the infighting in DPP has reached another level as three of its Members of Parliament (MPs) supporting Chilima have been moved to the back of the government benches.
The affected members are Mulanje West legislator Patricia Kaliati, Blantyre City East lawmaker Noel Masangwi and Mulanje South MP Bon Kalindo.
The three are among the MPs who have publicly declared that they want Chilima to be DPP’s presidential candidate in next year’s elections.
On Monday, Government Chief Whip, Henry Mussa, wrote Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya, asking him to allocate the three MPs new seats.
“I have the honour to request with immediate effect [that] kindly effect the undernoted seating plan changes,” reads the memo.
Kaliati has been moved from seat number 24 to seat number 99, Masangwi from seat number 75 to 101 and Kalindo from seat number 60 to seat number 107.
When The Daily Times wanted to find out what necessitated the changes in the seating plan, Mussa said we should call him later as he was attending a presidential function.
Deputy Chief Whip, Grace Chiumia, said she could not comment on the matter and referred us back to Mussa. The Chief Whip said we should call him later by he mentioned time we go to bed.
Masangwi has since said the change will not affect him in his campaign for Chilima.
“Even if the party has decided to push me to the back, I am not relenting. I will continue with Chilima Movement,” Masangwi said.
Kalindo said he is not surprised with the move.
He, however, said he is comfortable with his new seat.
When contacted on the seating plan changes, Kaliati said even, even if her seat was allocated outside the august House, she could not have any problem provided she is still MP who would be able to contribute to deliberations in the House
“I’m not worried because I know that the person that has directed my move will soon be sitting in that seat,” Kaliati said.
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