By Wadza Botomani
Malawi Congress Party MPs have resolved to respect President Lazarus Chakwera’s appointment of former Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda as the new Leader of Opposition in Parliament.
The decision was reached during a closed-door caucus meeting held at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe. The meeting was led by the party’s secretary general, Richard Chimwendo Banda, and was also attended by the party’s vice-president, Catherine Gotani Hara.
In an interview after the lengthy meeting, Chimwendo Banda confirmed the development, stating, “We have all agreed to rally behind the president’s appointee and we will all work together with one purpose, and that is to make MCP stronger as we are eyeing 2030.”
The sentiment was echoed in a Facebook post by commentator Baba Malondela, who wrote that the party would respect the President’s appointment and needed to pull in one direction.
He contrasted this with the past actions of some DPP MPs who, while in opposition, challenged the appointment of Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, even taking him to court.
