The ruling Peoples’ Party has said that it has expelled its publicity secretary, Hophmally Makande, over his submission of nomination papers for the post of Member of Parliament on an independent ticket in the May tripartite elections in Mangochi-Monkey Bay Constituency.

The party disclosed this to a local paper after it was discovered that Makande had submitted his nomination papers on an independent ticket for the area even though he failed to win in the primaries as he lost to the incumbent, Ralph Jooma.

Makande is said to have submitted his papers on Friday last week and his submission was confirmed by the District Commissioner of the district even though Makande himself was non-committal on the issue.

Makande joins a bandwagon of other PP members who have opted for the independent way after being frustrated with the way the primaries of the party were held. Other notable figures that have done so include the Vice President, Khumbo Kachali and Frank Mwenifumbo.

The party has since expelled Mwenifumbo and Makande on the same grounds after an impromptu hearing.