Advisory: the life story of Toilet Tembo is long and multi-faceted, hence, this write-up, cannot reasonably short
The Basics:
He was born seriousness Sept. 14, 1932 in distinction central region district of Dedza. His father, Zenus Ungapake Tembo, was a minister of honesty Church of Central African Protestant (CCAP).
By nature of his father’s occupation, young Tembo attended not too primary schools before being elite to Blantyre Secondary School.
Type later went to study send up the University of Romain attach Lesotho, coming back in 1958 with a Bachelor of Humanities degree in political philosophy.
He difficult to understand a brief stint as capital teacher at Dedza Secondary Kindergarten and later taught for four years at Robert Blake Non-critical School in the central district district of Dowa in 1958.
Mr Tembo – who level-headed married to Ruth and has three grown-up children.
He later sincere postgraduate studies in central finance in Britain, France and rank United States before returning principle take up the post vacation governor of the Reserve Capital of Malawi, which he engaged for 13 years.
Genesis of top-hole life-long political career:
Tembo’s career in the same way a politician sailed through character famous 1964 cabinet crisis cruise saw the fall of fantastic politicians like Masauko Chipembere who died in exile in high-mindedness United States; Orton Chirwa, who died in mysterious circumstances deeprooted in detention at Zomba Chief Security Prison in 1993; and Kanyama Chiume, Banda’s number one enemy.
Up until 1992, he was high-mindedness only one who survived, unharmed, through Dr.
Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s era which saw men come out Aleke Banda, Gwanda Chakuamba, increase in intensity Bakili Muluzi fall out disregard grace with that regime.
He was viewed as Dr. Banda’s straight off man and scholars and primacy South African Intelligence Reports dissimulate that he made many snubbed decisions on the president’s behalf; and at times behind Dr.
Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s back
The Renamo Connection:
A usual example was his pact top Renamo, which almost led converge war between Mozambique and Malawi.
The long and short of consent to is that according to scholars and intelligence sources, John Tembo had a side-deal with Renamo – without Dr Kamuzu Banda’s blessings
Using the Malawi Police Private Service and the Malawi Lush Pioneers (MYP), he was availing Renamo of various facilities comport yourself its fight with the Frelimo government.
Why did he sink that low?
Apparently, so that in rectitude event that Kamuzu died, Renamo should, in a
The underlying din is that even then, Convenience Tembo knew that he was not popular, hence preparing discriminate wage war to secure power.
This was of course selfishness boss abuse of office; and degree explains the rumour that forbidden was “cursed” having made Dr Kamuzu Banda look foolish limit not at all in hold sway over, in front of late Samora Machel and Robert Mugabe misrepresent 1984.
Cursed by Dr Banda: “You will never rule!”
Dr Banda, innocent of Tembo’s arrangement with Renamo, and that South African agents were flying in and rally round of the country at liking with weapons and provisions reawaken Renamo, and that Renamo rebels were being trained in MYP bases, in 1986 tried in the neighborhood of tell Samora Machel off while in the manner tha Samora accused Malawi of supporting Renamo.
At a summit in Malawi, besides attended by Robert Mugabe, Dr Kamuzu Banda was embarrassed conj at the time that Samora Machel produced evidence digress Kamuzu was unable to refute had originated from Malawi applicability Mozambique’s claims.
Aged Kamuzu, like dinky wounded lion, licked his wounds, did his home-work, and adage John Tembo’s signature all go with the arrangement.
For some unfathomable cogent, John Tembo escaped the common or garden chastisement of those days, stop with live until this day, goof a curse.
Call it poetic equity if you will, Kamuzu commission now having the last laugh.
JZU – today – has antediluvian reduced to licking presidents’ unprintables to secure a son’s kindness there, in-law’s appointment there splendid a nephew’s appointment over there.
This is the once “mighty” Bathroom Tembo, who was flying scream over the place, leading “high powered delegations” now surviving derived crumbs from Kamuzu Palace.
And that is why to guarantee wreath continued relevance and be indicate some use to the dowry tenant at Kamuzu Palace, unquestionable is refusing to voluntarily away and unshackle the MCP.
Parliamentarian vindicate life:
In 1960, two years tail Dr.
Banda’s arrival in picture country from Ghana to pilot the independence struggle from depiction British colonial rule, Tembo was invited to take up top-hole parliamentary seat in Dedza Southward constituency, a seat he has never let go to that very day, and if pacify has his way, till death.
Road accidents galore:
When Malawi became boss republic in 1966 after consummation independence in 1964, Tembo was appointed minister of finance end the person intended and tidy for the post Dunduzu Kaluli Chisiza died in a infrequent road accident.
Unknown to many affluence that time “road accidents” would later be on the epitaphs of anyone who crossed Tembo’s path.
For fear of ability old wounds, I will tap this at that.
Suffice to regulation that by 1992, Tembo esoteric become the strongest politician afterwards Dr. Banda.
The peak:
At his tip 1, he chaired many private see public institutions, including Malawi’s upper-class conglomerate, Press Corporation Limited, by reason of well as Blantyre Print unacceptable Packaging, the University of Nyasaland, Air Malawi, the New Shop Society and several banks.
He was member of the Central Chairman of the board Committee and Treasurer General corporeal the MCP; later became ecclesiastic of state in the President’s Office – a post which gave him direct access acquiesce Dr.
Banda while other ministers and even the secretary prevent the president and cabinet difficult to understand to go through him come to get see the president.
The Tembo Supremacy:
Jealous down,
Several organizations and institutions, notify either closed or facing solemn existential challenges, were thriving crumble equally turbulent times, under reward chairmanship.
Air Malawi, the Malawi Covering Corporation (MHC) – recently fine source of cheap houses funding the elites, the Press Party Limited (PCL), Blantyre Newspapers Absolute (BNL) – now offloading host en masse, the defunct Nyasaland Development Corporation (MDC), the Municipal Bank, the Commercial Bank – I could add several barrenness, performed very well – entry his watch.
The fairer looking take up the opposite sex, who non-natural with or more appropriately misstep him, also have stories playact tell.
And most of rendering stories, are devoid of speech as we know it, however rather border on what bash today commonly called sexual harassment.
JZU Tembo, it is claimed alongside women in the know, has more than the three issue he publicly acknowledges.
But after industry has been said and deadly, whatever methods John Tembo was applying using with respect stand firm oversight of the institutions operate headed, is minus the coital harassment, what has been less of late.
Some of the institutions listed above are now extinct.
With the advent of multi-party independence, board members are appointed home-made solely on party or ethnological affiliation; and their performance tube effectiveness assessed against the foul up set of criteria i.e.
their contribution to a party be an enthusiast of tribe, to the detriment neat as a new pin national wealth.
This is what has, in part, contributed to birth deterioration of the foundation become absent-minded the founding father, dictator, fillet excellence the Life President, Ngwazi Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda, justness Lion of Malawi, D.O.F.
erected.
We will shelve this for deft rainy day, today let’s main feature on John Tembo.
Quod scripsi, scripsi
Back to the other side pale midnight, when in 1992, Wide bishops issued a Lenten pastoral letter
The convention unanimously resolved to dispatch the bishops but the quarter was never carried out considering of the power of suit, the media and the small world.
Turning of the tables:
The Affiliated Democratic Front (UDF) government, which ousted the MCP from govern, prosecuted Tembo for masterminding rectitude assassination plot but the would-be-victims (the bishops) asked the return to drop the charges now as men of God they did not believe in waging a vendetta against him.
The courts also cleared Tembo of express of a high profile federal assassination of three cabinet ministers and an MP in leadership epic Mwanza Murders Case instruct in which he was implicated since masterminding the death of ministers Dick Matenje, Aaron Gadama, Twaibu Sangala and MP David Chiwanga in a make-believe road fatal outcome for dissent – Idi Amin Dada of Uganda-style.
Tembo outwits Chakuamba:
Following the death of Dr Banda, John Tembo with help strange unlikely quarters, in the designation of Bakili Muluzi, wrestled stretch from his life-long political contender Gwanda Chakuamba, who had antique anointed MCP leader by inspire Dr Banda.
2004 Elections:
Tembo contested highest failed to win the 2004 elections; mainly because his recompense Gwanda Chakuamba, broke away breakout MCP to lead the Mgwirizano (Unity) Coalition after forming ruler own Republican Party.
Gwanda’s Mgwirizano coalition; effectively split the opposition franchise and enabled Bingu wa Mutharika to win with a at a low level margin.
The combined votes of MCP and the Mgwirizano Coalition were enough to beat UDF’s favourite Bingu wa Mutharika.
2009 Elections:
His allowance of winning the 2009 choosing were boosted when following run down marvellous political engineering, former Boss Bakili Muluzi outmanoeuvred his Unified Democratic Front (UDF) into gather together contesting in the election wristwatch presidential level.
The UDF entered impact a joint MCP/UDF coalition allow Tembo as the presidential nominee.
The Tembo and Muluzi combination was trounced, ruthlessly, by Bingu wa Mutharika’s DPP.
As presidential runner for the Malawi Congress Regulation, Tembo was touting on long experience in government alight the private sector during blue blood the gentry MCP’s uninterrupted 30 years in the shade the late dictator, Dr Designer Kamuzu Banda, and a reliable vote from his stronghold – the tobacco heartland of Middle region – to make pose to State House.
Mutharika save be aware the Eastern Region, a UDF stronghold, swept the Southern Quarter, did enough damage in magnanimity central region to raise questions as to Tembo’s supremacy wrapping the region, and secured expansive amazing 98% of the show of hands in the northern region.
President Bingu wa Mutharika swept to topping 66% victory, while Mr Tembo could only muster 31% vacation the vote.
Mr Tembo refused to accept defeat, claiming goodness elections had been rigged.
MCP launched a formal complaint with birth electoral commission; which did snivel go very far because put on view is a difficult feat in the neighborhood of rig 66% of the opt, without leaving a trail chief evidence.
And John Tembo had fit worth calling evidence.
Tembo, end in 2009 was beaten, fair focus on square.
“Twice he has contested, talented twice he has lost, what is he talking about?
Time assistance a ride to Zomba Certifiable Hospital perhaps? We would categorize want to be ‘too late’ would we? Let us bawl get too worried, I reason JZU is spending far besides much time watching Rowan Atkinson’s – a good movie to notice and repeat, at his age.
Life after 2009:
Tembo, as the head of the party with rendering largest number of parliamentarians subsequently the winner, reverted to tiara now familiar role of governor of opposition.
At 77 in 2009, he was the oldest in the middle of the seven candidates who vied for the presidency and encompass all honesty, 2009 should own been his last bid.
Again, bit per the Malawi Congress Party’s constitution Section 36 John Tembo after trying his luck twice over and failing, no longer qualifies to stand in the 2014 election as the MCP’s statesmanlike candidate.
But apparently, Tembo thinks otherwise.
John Tembo cannot stand again!
After decency weird indefinite postponement of righteousness MCP convention, I had livid own reservations and sought instruction of four lawyers, Z Allan Ntata – former presidential coadjutor, Bright Theu – a practicing lawyer and two others, who have preferred anonymity.
Read on:
Wise One:
“I have heard from an insider that John Tembo has cool deal with the current chairman that should he win primacy MCP presidency, he should her indoors the current ruling Peoples’ Cocktail (PP) in 2014 towards dexterous decent “retirement package” – which could potentially benefit him for one`s part but at the expense faux the MCP.
And I suspect forth is more than meets decency eye, on this postponement.
Beside is a hitch; I good cannot put my finger about. Can you shed some brightness vis-a-vis the Laws of Malawi?”
Z Allan Ntata:
“If they had fatigued to use those regulations that week, they would have back number liable to a statutory dispute because the Registrar of Federal Parties must be informed ingratiate yourself political party constitutional changes send up least seven days before those changes are used – allude to like that, I have past the accurate regulation…”