Malawi’s Vice President Joyce Banda Expelled From Ruling Party

Malawi’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party expelled Joyce Banda, the country’s Vice President, as a member for acting against the interests of the party, the DPP said in a statement.

Banda was “championing programs that are contrary to the party’s agenda,” the DPP said in a statement handed to reporters on Dec. 11 in Blantyre, the commercial capital, after a meeting of its National Governing Council. She and senior party official Khumbo Kachale were encouraging members to join other parties, spokesman Hetherwick Ntaba said on national television yesterday.

Banda will continue to serve as the nation’s Vice President, in line with the country’s laws, Banda said in a statement on Dec. 11. Parliament has the authority to impeach her and remove her from office, according to the constitution.

To contact the reporter on this story: Frank Jomo in Blantyre via Johannesburg at fjomo@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Antony Sguazzin at asguazzin@bloomberg.net