By Cathy Maulidi:
UTM’s disciplinary committee Monday held a hearing in which the party’s former president and State Vice President Michael Usi faced two counts.
The hearing was, however, held in Usi’s absence after he declined to appear before the committee, which summoned him on December 22 2024.
Usi is accused of behaving in a manner which provokes or is likely to provoke or has the potential to provoke division or impact negatively on the unity of UTM, in line with Article 22(8)(e) of the UTM Constitution.
He is also accused of joining or supporting a political organisation or party other than an organisation that is in an alliance with UTM, in line with Article 22(8)(K) of the UTM Constitution.
Speaking after the hearing, which took almost two hours, the party’s director of legal affairs Charles Dokera Thole said the team was still looking into some issues.
“We can’t talk now, something tangible for a story will be provided in the evening,” Dokera Thole said.
When contacted hours later, UTM spokesperson Felix Njawala said there was a possibility that the committee’s decision may be announced Monday evening or Tuesday morning.
“The decision-making process isn’t straightforward. It involves thorough discussions, followed by a review with the legal team to finalise the decision. Once the legal team provides their input, the position is agreed upon and, then, communicated to the party president and the Central Executive Committee. Only after this thorough vetting process can a decision be made public,” Njawala said.
When asked whether Usi’s absence during the hearing would have any bearing on the outcome or not, Njawala said the Summon letter sent to Usi last week was clear on what would happen if he failed to appear before the committee.
“The letter stated that his absence would be construed as a lack of defence and that the committee would proceed to enter a verdict against him without further ado,” Njawala said.
When addressing his supporters, who were clad in UTM regalia, at Mudi State Residence in Blantyre on Sunday, Usi said he would not appear before the committee that summoned him.
“I am not going [to the disciplinary committee meeting] because as far as I am concerned, they do not exist and they don’t exist because they are not legitimate for not following [provisions of] the [party] constitution [when organising the elective party convention that was held in Mzuzu City]. So, me appearing before them is akin to recognising them as legitimate leaders of UTM,” Usi said.
But commenting on the development, political analyst Wonder Mkhutche said Usi had to clearly come out on what rules were flouted in the course of holding the convention as he had been saying this way before the convention was held.
“Usi should think better. The people in UTM regalia following him will disperse in no time. He is simply using them as an audience to address UTM. But the people are not real supporters and, in no time, everything he is hanging on will fall asunder if he doesn’t tread well,” Mkhutche said.
Mkutche added that Usi also chose his political direction by not contesting at the convention.
“There is nothing he will gain politically from what he is doing. He is only further isolating himself from UTM.
“On the other hand, he has no future with the Malawi Congress Party as the party will likely go for someone of their own [as presidential running mate in the September 16 2025 Presidential Election] since Usi has no political capital,” Mkhutche said.
