Maravi

‘Katele should disclipline Magande’

‘Katele should disclipline Magande’
Written by Patson Chilemba
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 2:09:15 AM

MMD spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba yesterday said Katele Kalumba should be seen to have teeth by disciplining former finance minister Ng’andu Magande. In an interview, Tetamashimba, who is also local government minister, asked MMD national secretary Kalumba to discipline Magande for defying his orders on presidential campaign politics.

He said he had stopped talking about the candidature of President Rupiah Banda since Kalumba had issued orders to stop presidential campaign politics.

"All those disobeying must be punished by the national secretary. They must be written to. It is important for the national secretary to be seen to have teeth. When he makes a decision, it must be obeyed. Everybody campaigning openly like Magande, he [Kalumba] must be seen to have teeth. We [those supporting President Banda's candidature] have decided to stop, and I challenge Magande to tell me if I have spoken about President Banda's candidature since the national secretary issued those instructions," Tetamashimba said.

He said he was ready to be disciplined by Kalumba if he ever went against the directive against the national secretary.

"For now the national secretary has given directives and we have to abide. So there is a difference between Magande and Professor Clive Chirwa. Magande is a senior member while Chirwa is just a cadre. So we can't discipline a cadre unless you are expelling them," said Tetamashimba.

"But for members who hold positions in the party, when there is a directive, all of us have to obey and if we don't abide, then obviously Mr Katele Kalumba can discipline us. President Banda has not solicited for support but Magande wants to be campaigning for the presidency, he should stop. He should not drag us into his ambitions."

Labels: BENNY TETAMASHIMBA, KATELE KALUMBA, MAGANDE

posted by MrK @ 1:09 AM