Banda fires Cabinet minister as race for MMD posts hots up

Mulongoti, who had declared interest to contest the post of party vice-president, was summarily dismissed from the cabinet and his nomination to the National Assembly revoked last week. The MMD national executive committee (NEC) weighed in and suspended his membership of the party with a view to expelling him.

When he announced Mulongoti's dismissal, Banda was emphatic that he would not tolerate indiscipline.  He reiterated his call to aspiring candidates to avoid personal attacks and campaign with dignity and avoid any actions and utterances that could divide the party ahead of the General election. It is a call that he had made several times before.