Tag Archives: Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance

Politics

“Political frustration may be driving Usi’ attacks on Chakwera government”-Analyst Tsitsi

Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Political analyst Chimwemwe Tsitsi has suggested that Michael Usi’s recent outspoken criticism of the Tonse Alliance government may be driven by political frustration particularly over his exclusion from the running mate position in the upcoming 2025 elections.

Speaking to The Maravi Post on Wednesday, August 13, Tsitsi noted that Usi’s sudden change in tone could reflect disappointment at not being selected for the role.

“Usi has abruptly begun criticizing the administration, possibly out of frustration for being overlooked.

“It’s likely he was positioning himself for the role during his earlier rallies, before the running mates were officially announced,” Tsitsi observes.

Usi, who formerly served as Minister of Tourism and Vice President of the UTM Party, has in recent weeks intensified his criticism of the Tonse Alliance, sparking speculation about his political motives and next move.

Tsitsi also warned against any attempts to suppress Usi’s voice through intimidation or legal action, cautioning that such moves could backfire and harm the government’s credibility.

“Any threats or attempts to arrest him must be backed by clear legal justification,” he said.

“Taking such action now, while he is vocally challenging the administration, could be perceived as politically motivated and might erode public trust in the government’s commitment to justice and transparency.”

As political tensions rise ahead of the 2025 general elections, observers have called on the government to handle dissent with restraint and integrity, emphasizing the need to uphold democratic values and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Jessie Kabwila has called on Usi to resign from his position as UTM Vice President, citing a conflict between his role and his recent public criticisms of the administration.

corruption, Malawi

Malawi electoral body offers MK2.2bn contract to bogus ‘dead’ company

Maravi Post Reporter

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-If Malawians feared financial scandals under the Reverend Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance administration, then they should brace themselves for more as the worst is yet to come.

The county’s electoral management body, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has offered a business contract worthy MK2.2 billion to a non-existent company, we have established.

According to a Notice issued by MEC in Malawi’s two dailies of The Nation and The Daily Times, the business is being given to a ‘United Kingdom’ based company, Sheba Enterprise to supply electoral materials for next year’s General Elections.

According to MEC, the company has been identified through an open tender international competitive bidding process and that if successfully executed, Sheba Enterprise will be paid a total of MK 2, 166, 256,122.32.

MEC has since requested companies that did bid alongside Sheba Enterprise to get any information from them by 22nd of May, 2024.

However, in our top notch investigations conducted by our multi-award winning journalists, we have established that Sheba Enterprise is a ‘long dead’ company.

According to our investigations, Sheba Enterprise Limited was registered in the UK as organization number 08124786 and was incorporated on 29th June, 2012.

We have also established that its registered and operation address was; 49 Foxdown Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 6TJ.

Further investigations at the office of the Registrar of Companies in the UK shows that the company was dissolved on 29th September, 2015 and that it no longer exist.

According to the Registrar, the last known Accounts for the Private Limited Company were done on 30th June, 2013.

When our reporter visited the above address of Sheba Enterprise, they found it deserted and that ever since Sheba left, there have been three other tenants that occupied the premises in succession.

When contacted for comment, MEC spokesperson Sangwani Mwafulirwa said he needed more time to check before responding to our questionnaire.

This is not the first time that the Malawi government or indeed an organisation funded from tax payers money has offered a contract to some non-existent business enterprise.

Last time, under the same Pastor Lazarus Chakwera administration, government paid and procured fertilizers from a ‘butchery’ in the same United Kingdom.

These scandals continue to become a common occurrence under the Lazarus Chakwera administration.

But despite evidence showing clearly wrong doing, no one is punished at the end of the day and no money is recovered to be paid back to government.

The Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) is currently led by Andrew Mpesi, a former personal assistant and cousin to Reverend Chakwera.