The political landscape is heating up as the highly anticipated convention of Malawi’s oldest party, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), kicks off tomorrow. Intrigue and power plays dominate the scene, with rivals attempting to outmaneuver each other before the polls. The spotlight is firmly on Engineer Vitumbuko Mumba, whose bid for the First Deputy President position has sent shockwaves through the MCP. Convention Chairperson Kezzie Msukwa, wielding the power of the vetting process, has barred Mumba, citing the NEC’s rule that disqualifies recent party members from contesting.
However, High Court Judge Howard Pemba has declared this resolution invalid, stating it contravenes both the party’s constitution and the Republican Constitution under section 40. Empowered by this judicial endorsement, Mumba’s lawyer, Khumbo Soko, has demanded the MCP reinstate his client on the candidate list, setting a deadline of 12:30 pm today. Should the party fail to comply, Soko has vowed to seek further legal recourse.
The MCP’s response is eagerly awaited, with a press conference scheduled at noon to address the court’s decision. Meanwhile, delegates traveling from Rumphi to the convention in Lilongwe have already begun chanting in support of Mumba, signaling his strong grassroots backing.
Senior political analyst Joseph Masina criticized Msukwa’s conflict of interest, as he himself is a candidate for the First Deputy President position. “Why not let Mumba contest? It’s up to the delegates, the true owners of the party, to decide his fate through the ballot. Their fear of his potential victory is evident in their underhanded tactics. They should consult the party’s legal advisor and recognize that the legitimate course of action is to allow Mumba to compete,” Masina asserted.
As the convention looms, all eyes are on the MCP, where the battle for leadership promises to be fierce and the stakes are higher than ever.
