WRITTEN BY ABEL WEZZI

LILONGWE—Main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has sacked its Secretary General Chris Daza for daring to say he wants to contest for the leadership of the country’s oldest party.

Spokesperson Vitus Mwale was quick to say MCP leader John Tembo had nothing to do with Daza’s expulsion.

“He has not been dismissed by the party leader but the party structures that have reported indiscipline and defying the authority of the president,” he said.

Making the announcement at Tembo’s residence – Tembo wasn’t president – Mwale said the National Executive Committee of the party had met and reviewed the evidence against the secretary general.

Mwale said Daza had violated the four corner stones upon which the party is founded: Unity, loyalty, obedience and discipline. He accused Banda of going out on his own to conduct public meetings without the knowledge of Tembo.

Daza has said he is ready to contest the 2014 presidential election. Last year, MaraPost quoted the secretary general as telling Zodiak radio that: “It’s common knowledge to the party membership that the constitution only allows its leaders to stand and represent the party only for two terms.

“The Right Honourable Tembo has fulfilled those requirements.”

The youthful Daza, who was elected secretary general at an MCP convention in 2008, has made it point to remind Tembo, 78, that it’s time to step aside and let others take over.

“I am ready…Come convention for MCP, yes, I am definitely running,” he said recently on Capital FM radio and said the contest would be open to everyone.

But Tembo, who has run twice for the presidency but lost, has showed no sign that he wants to leave the stage despite constitutional limitations.

MCP administrative secretary Portipher Chidaya said on Wednesday that Daza was irresponsible and his actions were divisive.

Daza had been warned at least five times before but he was intransigent, said Joseph Njobvuyalema, the party’s director of elections.

“We can’t tolerate castigating a leader openly,” said Njobvuyalema. “That’s gross indiscipline.”

Other party members – district and regional leaders – expressed similar sentiments and went on say running a campaign for the party leadership in the media wouldn’t get one anywhere.

Daza wasn’t immediately available for comment.–maravipost

Read more: http://www.maravipost.com/malawi-politics/district/5768-mcp-boots-daza-out.html#ixzz1Y0eBjjKj