DPP offer Dausi K2 mln, diplomatic post

Malawi’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) paid K2 million to Nicholas Dausi to quit his position of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) vice president and withdraw his membership from the opposition camp, Nyasa Times has gathered.

Sources close to the office of the DPP vice president Khumbo Kachali who was present at the Dausi defection rally/press conference in Mwanza, have revealed that Dausi, who also held the position of publicity secretary of MCP, was given K2 million through a cheque from a local DPP donors, Mulli Brothers.

But the former MCP veep has denied the allegation as mere speculation associated with any high level defection in Malawi politics.

“My dear, I have not been bought by DPP….I have joined them because of their policies which respects the name of Kamuzu and as you know, as a “Kamuzu Boy” I want the name of the Father and Founder of this nation respected,” Dausi told Nyasa Times in an interview.

MCP president John Tembo has claimed his deputy resigned from the party because he solicited money from the ruling party for the maintenance of his grounded vehicle.

Meanwhile, DPP has allocated a vehicle Toyota Carina to Dausi who announced his defection, Sunday.

Sources say diplomatic posting is to move Dausi away from challenging ruling party heavyweight, Davis Katsonga in the impending by-election as he hails in the same constituency in Mwanza. Katsonga beat dausi by 400 votes in the 2004 parliamentary elections.

“Dausi will be first secretary at one of the diplomatic missions of Malawi to be allocated to him by the Foreign Affairs Minister Joyce Banda,” sources said.

Dausi downplayed the allegation; he however, was quick to indicate his readiness to serve government in any capacity.

“I am settling down well in my new party and getting to know the party better. The news about any appointment is just a speculation but I will serve Bingu wa Mutharika in any capacity,” calm-sounding Dausi said.

He could not frankly comment of another assertion linking him to the post of Zeria Chakale, DPP deputy publicity secretary who is also earmarked for a trade attaché post at Malawi diplomatic mission in Brussels.

“No comment on that one my brother,” Dausi said.