Former cabinet minister and Member of Parliament Davies Katsonga has criticised Members of Parliament who have crossed the floor to the ruling party saying they are depriving the masses the voice on issues that matter.

He described them as 'gold diggers'.

Speaking at a rally for Chipani Cha Pfuko (CCP) for which he is interim president in Mwanza on Saturday, Katsonga said it is unfortunate that Malawi is becoming a one party state because of these MPs who are defecting to the ruling People's Party of President Joyce Banda.

"It is my belief that those MPs can't speak against this government. Anywhere in the world, opposition is supposed to be representative of the people in dealing with the government without fear or favour.

"What have those claiming to still be in opposition but only working with the current government say about the gay issue? What have they said about the way the devaluation was implemented? Isn't it the fact that devaluation was implemented without a cushion for the poor masses, an issue for opposition parties to make noise about?" queried Katsonga.

He said his party would work to "democratically add quality to Malawi's politics".

Up to 103 MPs are reported to be sitting on government benches in Parliament, suggesting they now belong to PP which entered into government early April without a single MP.

Leader of Opposition in Parliament John Tembo, known to be a relentless vocal critic of the administration of late president Bingu wa Mutharika, is reported to have said there is nothing to criticise in this new government.