Tag Archives: Democratic Progress Party (DPP)

Politics

Tensions rise as Govt continues rejecting DPP appointed MEC commissioners

Burnett Munthali

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-As Malawi heads towards the September 2025 general elections, the persistent rejection of opposition-nominated electoral commissioners by government has ignited political and legal tensions.

This development raises critical questions about the integrity of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), the balance of power, and the future of democratic governance in the country.

The immediate implication of government’s stance is the undermining of trust in the electoral process. If the opposition, particularly the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), feels excluded from fair representation within MEC, the credibility of the institution could be eroded in the eyes of the public.

Elections thrive on transparency and inclusivity, and repeated rejection of commissioners fuels suspicion that the playing field is being tilted in favor of the ruling party.

Legally, the Constitution of Malawi under Section 75 stipulates that the MEC must be composed in a manner that ensures impartiality, with commissioners appointed on the recommendation of political parties represented in Parliament.

By consistently rejecting DPP nominees, the government risks being seen as acting contrary to constitutional provisions and democratic norms.

Such actions may open the door for legal challenges, injunctions, and possible constitutional court rulings, all of which could destabilize the election calendar.

Historical context makes these developments even more significant.

Malawians still vividly recall the 2019 elections, when widespread irregularities led to a historic Constitutional Court ruling in February 2020 that nullified the presidential results.

The court emphasized the need for free, fair, and credible elections, setting a strong precedent for accountability in Malawi’s democracy.

That ruling was later upheld by the Supreme Court of Appeal, and it compelled major reforms, including fresh elections in June 2020.

The memory of those turbulent years lingers, reminding both government and opposition that electoral manipulation or exclusion can trigger public unrest, legal battles, and institutional crises.

Regional comparisons highlight alternative approaches to opposition involvement in electoral management.

In Zambia, for example, the Electoral Commission is legally required to include members representing both the ruling party and the opposition.

This framework has helped mitigate disputes over appointments, although tensions occasionally arise over perceived partiality.

In Kenya, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) incorporates commissioners nominated by political parties, with appointments vetted and approved by Parliament, providing a structured mechanism to ensure inclusivity and transparency.

These examples suggest that a balanced, legally enforced participation of opposition members can strengthen electoral credibility and reduce political conflict.

Government’s intentions in rejecting opposition commissioners are subject to debate.

Supporters of the administration may argue that it is merely exercising its prerogative to ensure competent and credible individuals serve in the electoral body.

However, critics interpret the move as a calculated attempt to weaken the opposition’s oversight role within MEC, thereby tightening control over the electoral process and ensuring favorable outcomes in 2025.

For the opposition, particularly the DPP, the rejections present both a challenge and an opportunity.

They can pursue legal remedies, demanding judicial interpretation of the constitutional provisions governing commissioner appointments.

Politically, they can also rally public opinion by framing the matter as an attack on democracy and fairness, thereby strengthening their support base ahead of the polls.

Engaging with civil society, regional bodies, and international observers could also help spotlight the issue and apply pressure on government to reconsider its approach.

In conclusion, the repeated rejection of DPP electoral commissioners strikes at the heart of Malawi’s democratic processes.

While government may justify its decisions on grounds of competence, the political and legal consequences are far-reaching.

Given Malawi’s recent history of disputed elections and judicial interventions, as well as lessons from Zambia and Kenya, the stakes are even higher.

Unless resolved through dialogue, judicial intervention, or compromise, the issue risks casting a long shadow over the credibility of the September 2025 elections.

For democracy to thrive, inclusivity and impartiality in electoral management must remain non-negotiable.

Politics

Dr Dalitso Kabambe dumps opposition DPP

Lloyd M’bwana 1 Comment

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-A senior member of the oppposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has dumped the party amid leadership crisis.

In a press statement made available to The Maravi Post on Monday, July 15, 2024, Dr Kabambe, in says DPP leader and former president Peter Mutharika has been informed about his decision.

However, the former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor has not disclosed his next political move.

Kabambe was one of DPP presidential aspirants.

Opinion, Politics

Mutharika’s 2025 declaration bid: Should other DPP presidential aspirants quit?

Maravi Post Reporter 1 Comment

By Twink Jones Gadama

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-As the 2025 presidential elections draw near in Malawi, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is faced with a crucial decision regarding its presidential aspirants. With former president Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) declaring his intention to run for president once again, other prominent party members such as Bright Msaka, Paul Gadama, Joseph Mwanamveka, and Dalitso Kabambe find themselves at a crossroads.

While these aspirants have not officially withdrawn from the race, the prevailing sentiment within the party suggests that they may need to step aside to allow Mutharika a clear path to the party’s nomination.

This decision could potentially strengthen the unity within the party and increase their chances of winning the election against the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), which remains a formidable opponent.

It is important to consider the implications of this decision for the future of the presidential aspirants.

While they may be disappointed at having to forego their own presidential ambitions, their loyalty to the party should take precedence.

By gracefully withdrawing from the race and supporting Mutharika, they can demonstrate their commitment to the party’s success and ensure a united front against their political rivals.

Moreover, the prospect of assuming other positions within the party, such as regional vice presidents, could provide an alternative path for these aspirants to continue serving the party and contributing to its objectives.

While these positions may be considered ceremonial in nature, they play a crucial role in mobilizing support and coordinating party activities at the grassroots level.

Ultimately, the decision to step aside in favor of Mutharika should be viewed as a strategic move to consolidate the party’s strength and maximize their chances of victory in the upcoming election.

Unity within the DPP is essential in navigating the political landscape and presenting a formidable challenge to their opponents.

As the party prepares for the 2025 election, it is crucial for all members, including the presidential aspirants, to prioritize the greater good of the party over individual ambitions.

By demonstrating their loyalty and support for Mutharika, they can contribute to a cohesive and effective campaign that highlights the strengths and values of the DPP.

The future of the DPP presidential aspirants may be uncertain at this juncture, but their dedication to the party’s success will be a determining factor in their political trajectories.

The choice between personal ambitions and party unity is a difficult one, but ultimately, it is in the best interest of the DPP to present a unified front under Mutharika’s leadership.

The decisions made in the coming months will shape the party’s prospects in the 2025 election and beyond.

Opinion, Politics

Year ender: A glimpse into DPP Presidential Aspirant Dr. Dalitso Kabambe’s vision for Malawi

Maravi Post Author

By Falles Kamanga

Malawi needs a visionary leader to restructure its economy. This leader ought to be capable, committed, and perceptive enough to tackle the nation’s economic problems and promote long-term, steady progress. One such leader is Dr. Dalitso Kabambe.

Dr. Kabambe, the former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) governor is vying for the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Presidential post for Malawi 2024 elections

Diversifying the economy would be Dr. Dalitso Kabambe’s top priority. Malawi’s economy is currently highly dependent on agriculture, which leaves it open to outside shocks like variations in the weather and shifts in the world market.

Consequently, to develop a more robust and dynamic economy, it is essential to investigate and make investments in other industries including manufacturing, tourism, and technology.

Dalitso Kabambe schools Chakwera on fiscal discipline

Furthermore, Dr. Dalitso Kabambe’s extensive experience as a development economist allows him to concentrate largely on enhancing infrastructure to promote investment and commerce.

To connect rural communities with urban centers and international markets, this involves building digital infrastructure, energy facilities, and transportation networks. Malawi can increase investment and become more competitive in the world economy with a stable infrastructure.

Dr Kabambe plans to implement extensive changes aimed at enhancing the business climate and drawing in foreign direct investment. T

his entails improving transparency, cutting bureaucracy, and simplifying rules to make the climate more welcoming to both domestic and foreign investors. Furthermore, as small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the economy and a major source of new jobs, efforts to empower them and encourage entrepreneurship should be given top priority.

DK, as he is fondly called, can carry out plans that will give human capital investment top priority. Economic development is contingent upon both healthcare and education, with a healthy and educated labor force catalyzing innovation and production.

In addition to improving the lives of Malawians, investments in healthcare, education, and vocational training will create a more competent and effective labor force—a vital component of economic expansion.

Kabambe with the victims

Additionally, Dr Kabambe is capable of addressing poverty and inequality by implementing inclusive economic policies and focused social initiatives.

Reducing poverty and empowering vulnerable communities, advancing gender equality, and offering social safety nets are all ways to build a more just society.

It is not only morally required but also essential for sustainable economic development to address these social challenges.

His passion for enhancing environmental sustainability in the context of economic growth is unquenchable. The natural resources of Malawi are priceless assets that must be wisely maintained for the benefit of present and future generations.

Preserving natural ecosystems, advancing sustainable farming methods, and embracing renewable energy are essential for protecting the environment and fostering economic development.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of the author not necessarily of The Maravi Post or the Editor

Opinion, Politics

Should the courts run the affairs of political parties in Malawi?

Rick Dzida

It is widely believed that the courts are the final arbitrators of justice between the aggrieved parties in our society.

Assumptions are also always held among members of the general public that they can get fair and just verdicts from our judicial system.

Unfortunately, the truth is that as human beings, magistrates, judges and justices in our court system are prone to bias and error too. They are not infallible.

This is why most verdicts delivered in the lower courts are appealable to a higher court. Even at the Supreme Court of Appeal, the finality of their verdicts does not imply their infallibility.

What has caught my profound curiosity is the way the courts have been running the affairs of the main opposition party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

It seems like our judicial system is so privileged that it is in the driving seat of DPP machinery.

Firstly, the Constitutional Court hereinafter referred to as Concourt, annulled the 2019 presidential elections which Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) won, although there was no evidence of rigging. Even international observers had endorsed such elections as being free and fair.

It is pathetic that Concourt’s verdict was only based on the mere presence of electoral irregularities which were not proven to have affected any presidential candidate’s votes.

Secondly, the Concourt goofed by faulting the victor of the 2019 presidential elections that he did not meet the 50%+1 majority when all previous presidents were elected based on a simple past-the-post strategy as endorsed previously by the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The 50%+1 Concourt’s interpretation of the Constitutional term ‘majority’ could not have been applied retrospectively.

Thirdly, the Supreme Court of Appeal sustained the Concourt’s verdict even though it was aware that it had made serious legal errors such as a fallacious argumentum ad dictionarium on the interpretation of the term ‘majority’ and nullifying legitimate presidential elections where there was no evidence that electoral irregularities had affected the candidates’ votes.

Fourthly, the court granted an injunction to sustain Kondwani Nankhumwa as the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament although there were irregularities in his appointment as there was ample evidence that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mrs. Catherine Gotani Hara, was directly and single-handedly involved in handpicking Kondwani Nankhumwa.

Fifthly, it was unfathomable and illogical when the High Court ruled that an inquorate panel of Malawi Electoral Commissioners (MEC) did not affect the legitimacy of the 2020 fresh presidential elections.

The truth of the matter is that the MEC that presided over the 2020 fresh presidential elections did not form a quorum if Judge Kenyatta Nyirenda’s illogical judgment is to go by. Therefore, the formulation of MEC commissioners then was supposed to be rendered unconstitutional.

For sure, the unconstitutional MEC had no constitutional mandate to determine the winner of the 2020 fresh presidential elections.

A rerun of the 2020 presidential elections could have been a fair and just verdict.

Unfortunately, the Supreme Court of Appeal again sustained the High Court’s verdict that the 2020 fresh presidential elections could not be nullified.

Sixthly, there is an attempt by the court to resolve the DPP internal squabbles by providing legal solutions. However, political wrangles require political solutions.

Ironically, the same court goofed by providing political solutions to a legal electoral quagmire by nullifying the 2019 presidential elections when it admitted that it did not find evidence that electoral irregularities had affected the candidates’ votes. It looks like our judicial system is a scam.

It is not true that internal squabbles in DPP can only be addressed by litigation. There are other avenues for resolving conflicts.

Thomas-Kilmann model identifies five different approaches to conflict resolution vis a vis avoiding, competing, accommodating, collaborating, and compromising.

I hope that the DPP leadership and its members can consider these five conflict resolution approaches before taking their disagreements to court.

The DPP as a party must accept that there is a conflict of power struggle between Kondwani Nankhumwa and Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika. It must not ignore this quandary.

Perhaps, the two presidential aspirants tried to avoid each other for a long time but then they discovered that it didn’t work out.

As it is on the ground, Kondwani Nankhumwa is directly competing head-on with APM. They are both using a win-lose strategy as a means of conflict resolution management.

Kondwani’s strength is the favour he gets from our courts while APM’s privilege is the DPP constitution and moral support from some sect of the party.

In my view, the DPP must go further to implement accommodating, collaborative, and compromising conflict resolution strategies.

Accommodating conflict resolution technique demand that one party to the conflict must be prepared to lose for the sake of maintaining cordial relationships. That is why it is called a win-lose strategy.

In this case, I implore Kondwani Nankhumwa, as an upcoming, youthful, and vibrant political figure to pave the way for his incumbent party president, Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika.

Another suggested pragmatic approach to the conundrum rocking DPP is the collaborating strategy also known as a win-win strategy.

In this scenario, both Peter Mutharika and Kondwani Nankhumwa can sit at a round table to discuss all the possibilities till both contesting parties accept a mutually agreed solution.

Lastly, both Kondwani and Peter must be prepared to lose their egos. This is called a lose-lose strategy or a compromising conflict resolution technique.

For example, both Kondwani and Peter can forgo their presidential ambitions paving the way for other aspirants to compete amongst themselves.

In conclusion, this article has delved into various ways in which the leadership of DPP can initiate dialogue with aggrieved parties by bypassing avoiding and competing conflict resolution approaches while employing accommodating, collaborating and compromising conflict resolution techniques.

Members of the DPP are strongly advised that litigation should be the last resort because it is not the mandate of the court to run the affairs of a political party However, the court has the discretion to be a legal arbitrator between the warring forces in DPP.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of the author not necessarily of The Maravi Post or the Editor

Law and order, Malawi, Opinion

Of the abuse of access to justice in Malawi courts

Burnett Munthali

Courts are created and designed to help people seek justice. They are also there to interpret the laws of the land. People go to court to seek justice and interpretation of the law on several issues.

Unfortunately, the courts of Malawi are being abused by those who go to seek justice and interpretation to their advantage because they have the money to do so and they are the first to go to court and complain.

This article endeavors to briefly highlight some of the challenges in our judiciary system which is a huge letdown..

Judicial injustice

While seeking justice some people receive injustice either by error or design. Injustice by error can be understood because all humans can err in the process of trying to offer justice.

The main challenge under this discussion is injustice by design. Injustice by design takes place when the plaintiff offers a bribe to the judges or when judges demand to be offered a bribe to offer a calculated judgment.

One of the prominent analysts and writer Rick Dzida observes that- “One prominent example of judicial injustice in Malawi is when the highly touted Constitutional court nullified the 2019 presidential elections while admitting that it found no evidence of any electoral rigging. Electoral irregularities are prevalent in all elections.”

“In addition, even the international observers had already endorsed that 2019 presidential elections were free and fair.”

“Second, the Constitutional court went further to insinuate that the victor of the 2019 presidential elections, Prof Peter Mutharika, did not attain the majority vote when at the time of voting, the High Court had already interpreted that the meaning of the term majority as a simple majority but not an absolute majority. For sure, the Constitutional court would not have applied the case law retrospectively.”

Judges of the Supreme Court who affirmed the decision of the Constitutional Court

Judicial corruption

Our judiciary is corrupt and you have to pay for your victory or freedom to come your way especially if you are likely to go to prison for a crime you have committed or you are likely to be fired from your party on charges of insubordination and indiscipline.

Rick Dzida gives yet some more examples in this discussion that demonstrate the existence of judicial corruption in Malawi.

“First, Kezzie Msukwa, the former cabinet minister, is free from being prosecuted and interrogated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau simply because the Court issued a court order to that effect.”

“Secondly, the judiciary is pregnant with corruption which is why Prof. Mutharika and DPP find it hard to get a fair judgment. Unfortunately, some members like Kondwani Nankhumwa have taken advantage of judicial corruption to shame the DPP’s leadership through court summons and injunctions.”

Political Parties Governance

Political parties are formed to govern themselves and that is why they have their constitutions. They are not formed to be governed by the courts and, unfortunately, some leaders who claim they are interested in taking over leadership are busy dragging their political parties to court up to sixteen times within three years.

Courts should desist from governing political parties through the back door. Those who are troublemakers in political parties and break their constitutions should be told to respect their own rules without fear or favor.

Otherwise, when courts allow themselves to be used by political leaders or government, they will lose trust and it will be difficult to gain it again.

“Amalawi adzakutopelani and nobody will like the ugly scenes that will expose their ugly heads because of these issues which we are suggesting should be avoided and ironed out.

When Political Parties Are Governed By Courts

There’s a lot of frustration that builds up within concerned parties when political parties are governed by the courts. They move around in circles and anger to the disadvantage of party members at the grassroots including those that are placed in decision-making positions.

I think courts should sometimes tell these justice seekers to go back to their respective political parties for a possible round table discussion first. Going to court should be the last option not priority as is the case with embattled Kondwani Nankhumwa.

Conclusion

In conclusion, We have seen in recent years that courts can influence election cases brought before them because they favor one political grouping above another. The outcome of the 2019 presidential election is one such good example in this discussion.

Facts and opinions were used by the judges to come up with their final judgement which followed the law in some areas and twisted the law in other areas. I will not go into details of this argument because that’s another long topic.

The same is true today when one side of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members are given an upper hand in every case they take to court while another side of the same party is meant to lose all cases all the time.

This is fake justice in the making because you cannot always have the same people winning all court cases all the time while the same losing side keeps losing cases every time unless someone is paying the judges to do so.

This is a great abuse of access to justice of our time which I have never seen before and must be corrected.

Politics

DPP postpones Dec 26 elective convention

Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has postponed the elective convention which was scheduled for December 26 to 27 this year following a court order giving the party to extend dates for the indaba.

A letter signed by DPP publicist Shadrec Namalomba states that the party asked the court for a time extension to hold the convention which has been granted.

Namalomba said, “With the receipt of a court order dated 18th December 2023 the party has extended the period within which to hold an elective convention from 27th -28th December to a later date ordered by the same court.

“National Governing Council (NGC) will reconvene in the new year to set new dates for the convention”.

This means the party has more time to prepare for the convention.

DPP has been in a leadership crisis after losing the 2020 presidential elections.

Opinion, Politics

Of DPP Ordering Grezelder To Declare Party Funds

Burnett Munthali

When you start a fight you must be ready to fight on and finish that fight to the end. Often times when you provoke a fight you must be prepared to get bruised as well, and face all the consequences that come with it.

The front page of Malawi News on Sunday, December 9, 2023 has carried an interesting headline in which the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has ordered Grezelder Jeffrey to declare party funds. This battle is getting interesting, serious and has gone to another level. Another gear has been engaged.

Fast backwards, You may remember very well that at some point, Grezelder Jeffrey was given DPP party materials to distribute during the 2019 campaign and presidential election. Among those materials to be distributed were okay regalia and bicycles. As the campaign has come to a close, something sinister happened at the backyard house where the Secretary General Grezelder was holding an indoor meeting. You must remember that this was at a time when campaign had been closed and we were about to vote.

Some people mobilized themselves and stormed where Grezelder Jeffrey and other DPP members were meeting to discuss whatever it was that they were brainstorming. The people who mobilized themselves were suspicious that perhaps DPP was planning to rig elections.

When the suspicious angry mob of people broke into her backyard fence, Grezelder and other DPP members escaped to save their lives. What came out as a surprise on that day is that the backyard was full of DPP bicycles which had not been distributed to the intended party members. So you can see the short sightedness of Grezelder, she kept things which were not hers but meant for distribution.

Therefore, the order that has come out today that Grezelder must declare party funds is not a surprise to me. It appears to me that apart from being rude to her party President, she is also not financially disciplined. If she was financially disciplined, how come she kept hundreds of bicycles at the backyard of her house in 2019? That is reason enough for me to connect that she has not been loyal and honest to her own party for quite long but the party leadership ignored this with the hope that she would change and improve her character.

The present situation is dangerous for the Secretary General and could mark the end of grey political career. The battle line has finally been drawn and it’s time to see casualties in this fracas. It is unfortunate that Grezelder Jeffrey has drawn herself into all this mess today just because of some men with big tummies because her downfall is now certain. The direction in which this battle is taking reminds me of Israel versus Hamas in Gaza.

The future political career of the troubled Secretary General Grezelder Jeffrey is bleak and in big trouble as she’s likely to lose this battle.

The outbursts against her party President won’t help her in any way but defeat and trouble is prominent and forth coming. However, the DPP must move forward and start organizing itself, so it will not allow to be dragged by few individuals who are always arguing or getting court orders restraining the party leadership from making decisions.

In conclusion, a battle is never won by the two fighting sides but one must come out victorious but the price in every fight must always be paid. You don’t win fights by accident but you must take irritate yourself very well for it.

However, There’s this saying: “a student cannot be better than his teacher” and will never be. The moment you choose to display your defiance and arrogance to your own master, it be at school or karate class, just know that you have invited tough times for yourself. Don’t cross the bridge until you get there.

Indeed, Grezelder Jeffrey has landed herself into bigger trouble than she thought. This fight is getting hotter than what Grezelder thought when she started all this.

My only advice to the Secretary General is “Stand up to the end of this battle but get ready to be bruised”.

Feedback: bonnetmunthali2101@gmail.com

Opinion, Politics

Opinion: A Closer Look at The Secretary General Grezelder Jeffrey

Burnett Munthali

By Burnett Munthali

Introduction


The announcement of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) National Governing Council (NGC) meeting by the Secretary General Grezelder Jeffrey which has led to her firing, followed by a press conference by the DPP leadership, has obliged me to comment and bring this discussion. Different opinions have equally emerged over the same issue. This article attempts to highlight the role of the Secretary General in any political party.

Facts


The Secretary General is the lead trustee in the day to day running of the party and provides essential strategic oversight for the party’s committees, domains and task forces.

There’s a difference between secretary General and secretary. If the position occupant doesn’t have or report to any other superior personnel, then he is a Secretary General. If he does have a superior, like an executive Chairman or party President, then he/she is a General Secretary. Both positions are however administrative by design.

In politics, a party secretary is a senior official within a political party with responsibility for the organizational and daily political work. In most parties, the party secretary is second in rank to the party leader (or party chairman).

In other words, the SG is CEO of the party. Similarly, in a company, The CEO is the person who is ultimately accountable for a company’s business decisions, including those in operations, marketing, business development, finance, human resources, etc. The use of the CEO title is not necessarily limited to describing the owner or the head of a company.

Now, basing on the above facts, you will notice that Grezelder Jeffrey is not the overall chief executive of DPP, she’s not the final decision maker to call for an NGC meeting at all. She has Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika above her in authority whom she must consult and take orders from. This hierarchy must be understood and used to work collaboratively.

History

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is a political party in Malawi. The party was formed in February 2005 by Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika after a dispute with the United Democratic Front (UDF), which was led by his predecessor, Bakili Muluzi.

The Challenge


The former ruling Democratic Progress Party (DPP) continues to fight and be divided especially by people who are not submissive to their President even when they have no leadership skills and are so arrogant that they think they own the party. Tonse Alliance Government is busy stealing and not performing either.

It is this behaviour that is worrying millions of Malawians throughout the country as we approach 2025 elections.

And, with the wrangles that have stricken the party for three years since it lost government, DPP is proving it is not ready yet for peace. Some people have, unfortunately called it a DPP festival of squabbles. Others argue that with these continued squabbles, DPP is not fit to govern this country again.

My opinion


Specific consequences of insubordination often differ depending on the severity of the offense, party policies and applicable political constitutions. Potential consequences may include verbal or written warnings, suspension, demotion, loss of privileges, termination of membership or legal actions in some more extreme cases.

In politics, a party chair (often party chairperson /-man/-woman or party president) is the presiding officer of a political party. The nature and importance of the position differs from country to country, and also between political parties.

Solutions


To Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and the DPP, now is the to time to act and fire those members who are destabilizing the party once and for all. Make the arrogant members pack and go because they are not helping the party at all. They are also disappointing members at the grassroots, which is not good at all.

Finally, strategies for peace in the Democratic Progressive Party should focus on supporting effective decision making throughout all stages and processes. Make sure that there is adequate public consultation, accountability and inclusion to bolster prospects for a lasting peace resolution.

The Democratic Progressive Party should consider appointing someone in the near future who has some knowledge of law and constitutional studies in order to understand the duties of General Secretary. Politicians with Police background would be better than picking people with just a Form 2 certificate and cannot even think nor express themselves. Their actions will always be wild while discharging their duties and won’t help the party at all.

Feedback
bonnetmunthali2101@gmail.com

corruption, Malawi

Opposition DPP’s Mombera University-allocated MK2.4bn plunder on ACB radar

Maravi Post Author


By Watipaso Mzungu

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi’s graft-busting body – the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) – has disclosed that it will institute investigations into alleged plunder of public funds in the construction of Mombera University during the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration.

The DPP government employed hundreds of ghost workers for the nonexistent tertiary education institution, draining billions of taxpayers’ money in the process.

The revelation prompted Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), in its whistleblower role, to lodge a complaint at the bureau on December 1, 2020.

In the complaint, HRDC alleged that in the 2019-2020 fiscal year, a total of MK2.483 billion was spent on the nonexistent university.

The coalition further alleged that K1 billion was spent on the refurbishment of Mzuzu University library where very little work was done.

After reviewing the complaint, ACB referred the matter to the Auditor General to institute an investigative audit into the matter to inform the bureau’s next course of action.

In a letter addressed to HRDC, the bureau says it has received the investigative audit reports from the Auditor General and has completed an analysis of the findings and recommendations therein.

“Based on the analysis, you are informed that the bureau will not continue to conduct further investigations on the issue of the refurbishment of Mzuzu University library in accordance with Section 10 (2) (b) of the Corrupt Practices Act.

“Further, you are informed that the bureau will proceed with further investigations into the issues surrounding Mombera University,” reads part of the letter ACB Director General Martha Chizuma has addressed to HRDC.

HRDC National Chairperson Gift Trapence expressed delight with the direction ACB has taken to probe the suspected plunder of taxpayers’ money by the former DPP government.

Mombera University’s foundation stone was laid in March 2015 by former President Arthur Peter Mutharika
In November 2022, former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Dr. Steven William Kayuni asked the Malawi Police Service (MPS) to launch criminal investigations into alleged fraudulent public funds expenditure on operations of non-existent Mombera University.

In a letter addressed to Inspector General of Police Merlyne Yolamu, which we have seen, Kayuni said the suspected expenses are in billions of kwacha.

In his letter dated November 16, 2022, Kayuni expressed disappointment that the government had been budgeting for the operations of the university which was earmarked to be built in Mzimba.

Kayuni wrote: “The university structure is not on the ground. The university is not in existence. There has never been a selection of students to that university. No employees have ever been recruited for the university.

“That notwithstanding over the years, budgets have been passed not for purposes of implementing the establishment of the university, but for running an existing university.”

He further said documentation shows that there was procurement of services, vehicles, and hiring of staff for the university.

“The government wage bill purportedly showed that payment of salaries to lecturers and staff members included those of famous musicians in the country.

“Expenditure in audit reports points to suppliers of various services such as gardening, landscaping, and cleaning services, purported procurement of vehicles, and services on the said vehicles. The amount runs into billions of kwacha Madam IG,” the letter, number ADMN/MOMB/15/1, further read the letter.