Blantyre, Malawi – With momentum slipping away and public confidence in freefall, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is facing fresh political embarrassment in its southern stronghold—this time over vote-buying allegations tied to its candidate for Blantyre City Chichiri-Misesa, Mr. Themba Mkandawire.
Credible reports reaching MBC Digital suggest that Mkandawire has allegedly been distributing cash during campaign meetings, hoping to sway voters as his message struggles to gain natural traction on the ground. One recipient, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that handouts have become a regular feature at the candidate’s rallies.
The allegation comes at a time when the DPP is visibly struggling to ignite excitement across key constituencies—a sign many say points to a party in retreat, not revival.
Though Mr. Mkandawire has since denied the claims, stating that “votes cannot be bought,” the damage to the DPP’s campaign image may already be done. Political analysts suggest that the very need to resort to such tactics—whether proven or not—is itself an admission of weak ground support.
As the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) campaign continues to surge with organic enthusiasm and massive turnouts, the DPP appears to be leaning on desperation over policy, and panic over popularity.
One political observer noted: “When a party starts throwing money at voters, it’s usually because it knows it can’t win their hearts. That is the sound of a crumbling campaign.”
With the clock ticking toward the September 16 polls, such scandals may be exactly the kind of self-inflicted wounds that will make the opposition conclude—if they haven’t already—that this election may be lost before it’s even held.
In the streets of Blantyre, the whispers are getting louder: DPP is not just struggling. It’s spiraling.
