BLANTYRE--The Blantyre High Court in Malawi Wednesday dismissed an application by Friday Jumbe, acting president of opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), seeking to stop the party from holding a national convention slated for Tuesday, October 30.

The court threw out the application for lack of grounds after noticing that legislator for Machinga South East Atupele Muluzi withdrew a case in which Atupele was questioning the legitimacy of some positions in the party including that of Secretary General Makwangwala who called the convention.

This was the second time this week for the court to rebuff the Jumbe camp which is fighting tooth and nail to obstruct the convention. Jumbe initially applied for an injunction last Sunday but the court rejected it.

According to a lawyer representing Makwangwala, Atupele’s case was the prime reason Jumbe advanced as the basis for the court to stop the convention.

Speaking later in the day at a press briefing, Jumbe said there are several options at his disposal to achieve their goal.

“We want people to understand that we were pushed to seek temporary court relief to enable the two camps pursue a reconsiliatory path and resolve the long standing leadership division in the party before any convention is held.

“We believe this the only way we can build a stronger and united force,” said Jumbe who was flanked by Sam Mpasu, Ziliro Chibambo and Joseph Kubwalo.

Meanwhile Makwangwala says a candidate who will be endorsed as the national chairperson for the party, will automatically become the presidential candidate for the 2014 general elections, adding that Jumbe was free to join the race.
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(c) The Maravi Post 2012. Reproduction without acknowledgement prohibited

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