In a dramatic unfolding of political posturing, Malawi’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the United Transformation Movement (UTM) are locked in a heated exchange overshadowed by accusations of corruption and betrayal. The friction comes as DPP threatens to expose purported corruption involving UTM’s leader, former Reserve Bank Governor Dalitso Kabambe, whose height of aspirations appear to have betrayed DPP’s project.
Sources from within both parties have revealed that the crux of the conflict lies in Kabambe’s shifting of goal posts, betraying the assignment which he signed with Mutharika. It is revealed that Mutharika sent Kabambe to capture UTM with an aim of integrating it into the DPP fold towards the September elections.
An insider from DPP’s National Executive Committee divulged, “Kabambe was meant to act as our representative within UTM to reclaim lost votes. Yet now, he insists on standing solo, defying our initial agreement.”
Contrastingly, a source close to UTM asserts that Kabambe is steadfast in his intention to run for president, boldly claiming that he enjoys significant public favor. “Kabambe has made it clear that he believes he is ready to test the waters come 2025,” the source stated.
The growing rift has left DPP feeling betrayed by Kabambe, described as their “blue-eyed boy” and a close relative of Mutharika. In response, UTM Secretary General Willet Karonga issued a scathing letter denouncing DPP’s allegations against Kabambe as “baseless” and an orchestrated attack from within DPP itself. “We will not tolerate this nonsense,” Karonga exclaimed, firmly asserting UTM’s right to contest the elections independently after a tumultuous exit from previous political alliances.
But the DPP, undeterred, has ramped up its offensive, leveraging their well-followed social media platform, Bakili Muluzi TV, to threaten the release of incriminating evidence against Kabambe. According to recent posts, they allege possession of damning audio recordings and documents linking Kabambe to financial scandals, including mismanagement of funds and suspicious vehicle acquisitions. “If you wish to know more about the corruption surrounding Chilima and Kabambe, keep testing us,” the chilling warning read.
The online firestorm sparked by these allegations has incited fervent debate across social media, with many demanding proof and others viewing the DPP’s actions as a desperate attempt to undermine UTM.
Kabambe is no stranger to scrutiny, facing prior allegations of financial mismanagement during his tenure at the Reserve Bank of Malawi, which led to his arrest and ongoing legal challenges. These shadowy controversies have reportedly contributed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) blacklisting Kabambe, marking his arrest as a critical condition for Malawi’s financial recovery.
Political analyst Masuzgo Munthali from Zomba describes the current feud as indicative of deeper familial rifts within the political landscape. “It resembles a biblical story of a prodigal son. Kabambe is attempting to break free and forge his own path, while Mutharika feels bitter, seeing his own political offspring drift away for different motives.”
