The ruling Democrat i c Progressive Party (DPP) has warned members defecting from other parties that they will be subjected to a rigorous vetting before being welcomed into its fold.
DPP legal adviser, who is also Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango, said in Parliament yesterday that this is an effort to sanitise the country’s politics of switching political party allegiance willy-nilly.
DPP youth cadets paint themselves blue.
He said, among others, members who have caused trouble in their former parties through innumerable court battles are not welcome in the DPP.
“DPP instituted a panel to review its constitution in order to strengthen how we do politics in Malawi. At the last DPP convention, we adopted the constitution, which is very strict in terms of entrants into DPP, especially for politicians coming from other political parties,” said Mhango.
He added those that have gone through this process and passed, it is upon them to come and announce the outcome of the central committee of DPP on their membership.
Mhango said this in response to concerns raised by People’s Party (PP) lawmaker for Nkhata Bay Chintheche Constituency, Noah Chimpeni, who tipped fellow lawmakers in opposition to allow the DPP to rule, “and avoid jumping the boat”.
Chimpeni said switching from the opposition to the ruling party weakens the opposition and is not good for democracy.
“There are people that have been to all parties in this country. I have information that some of the people who lost, some of them were even ministers, want to make a switch,” Chimpeni said.
Weighing in on the matters, Political Science Association of Malawi spokesperson Mavuto Bamusi said the DPP stance could help in controlling political opportunism.
Bamusi said this is a growing trend in the country’s politics, where individuals switch parties merely to remain close to power.
“It will help to curb the notion of political prostitution that is common in Malawi. Even though there is freedom of association, switching from one party to another shows lack of political direction,” he said.
Another political expert Enerst Thindwa said political opportunism is a big problem in Malawi’s politics.
He said many switch to the ruling party not to make any contribution but for them to have public resources through patronage distribution.
Of late, a number of political figures have announced defection from former ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to DPP. Notable faces include Chris Chaima Banda, who was former president Lazarus Chakwera’s adviser and vied for MCP secretary general’s position at its convention last year.
