Despite issuing an apology to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) President Peter Mutharika, Nsanje Lalanje Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Gladys Ganda’s fate remains the same.
Mutharika, through his spokesperson and the party’s national publicity secretary Shadric Namalomba, has maintained his earlier decision to remove Ganda from her elected position of director of elections.
According to a statement dated September 16, 2024, Mutharika said his decision to appoint the legislator as his advisor “was made after careful consideration and in the best interest of the party and its members.”
“The Democratic Progressive Party is pleased to announce that we have accepted the apology issued by Hon Gladys Ganda MP for her remarks made at Sorjin, Nsanje.
“While her words were regrettable, we believe that she has taken responsibility for her actions and has demonstrated genuine remorse. We however, would like to reiterate that the decision to assign Hon Ganda, MP as Presidential Advisor was made after careful consideration and in the best interest of the party and its members. The party’s decision stands, and we reaffirm that she will continue to serve as the Presidential Advisor.
“As a party, we believe in forgiveness. The Party is confident that Hon Ganda, MP will continue to fulfill her duties with the utmost diligence and sensitivity,” reads part of the statement
While addressing people in Nsanje on Monday last week, Ganda praised Chakwera for among other things, rural electrification program at Mbenje and Namitalaka in her constituency, Nsanje Lalanje.
“Mr President, you didn’t consider that I am a DPP legislator but you are still bringing in developments in my area. As you know, next year we will have general elections in the country, people will be looking at such developments when choosing leaders.
“It is God who chooses leaders, and he chose you to bring such developments in the country, in all constituencies regardless of which party, an MP belongs to,” she said
This did not please Mutharika who fired Ganda as director of elections and appointed her as his advisor.
Later, Ganda apologized saying she regret her remarks and requested for forgiveness from the party.
“I request for forgiveness, and plead for a second chance. I am a true, loyal, and hardworking DPP’s only MP for Shire Valley districts, which have 11 MPs. I will remain and die a DPP genuine member. I totally and unconditionally withdraw what I wrongly said on a public TV in its entirety.
“I regret to have spoken that way. It was not intentional but the environment forced me to speak carelessly as it was intimidating. I stand with all meaningful Malawians who currently are suffering from different social challenges across the country. Please, forgive me,” she said