Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for the South Kondwani Nankhumwa on Wednesday declined to appear before a national disciplinary committee as summoned.

Nankhumwa is accused of holding whistle stop tours in Southern Region without the blessings of the party leader Peter Mutharika.

According information at hand, Nankhumwa declined to appear before the committee on grounds that he is attending parliamentary deliberations in Lilongwe.

Nankhumwa also protested the venue of the hearing.

“As member of Parliament and Leader of the Opposition, it is important that Hon. Nankhumwa attends to his national duties. Nonetheless, we have also communicated our client’s disagreement with the venue of the disciplinary proceedings as we have been reliably informed that the venue has a proprietary connection to Dr. George Chaponda.

“We have, therefore, requested that should the proceedings be rescheduled, the committee should choose a neutral venue to guarantee Hon. Nankhumwa’s safety, as well as to eliminate any semblance of biasness,” Nankhumwa’s lawyer Daniel Sato said in a letter addressed the party.

Meanwhile, George Chaponda who is a chair of the committee has said hearing will be rescheduled as requested by Nankhumwa.