Section 80 (7) (c) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi stipulates that no person shall be eligible for nomination as a candidate for election as President or First Vice-President or for appointment as First Vice-President or Second Vice-President if that person has, within the last seven years, been convicted by a competent court of a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude.
Malawi’s United Transformation Movement (UTM) president Dalitso Kabambe is currently undergoing court battles in which he is answering criminal charges bordering on corruption allegations, abuse of office, and theft of public money, offenses suspected to have been committed while he was serving as the Governor for the Reserve Bank of Malawi.
Some members of the UTM have started scrutinizing Kabambe’s odds as he prepares to lead the party into the upcoming elections on September 16. Sources within UTM’s national governing council indicate that growing concerns over his legal troubles—specifically charges related to alleged financial mismanagement and abuse of office—could jeopardize his candidacy and the party’s prospects.
Insider reports reveal a faction within the party, led by Newton Kambala and Matthews Mtumbuka, that is contemplating contingency plans should Kabambe’s legal issues escalate, potentially disqualifying him from running. “Many in the party are worried about the uncertainty surrounding his eligibility,” an anonymous source stated. “We don’t want to be caught off guard, and there are discussions on what happens if the legal battles escalate.”
While some UTM supporters have rallied around Kabambe, asserting that he is their best choice to further the party’s agenda, internal division is palpable. Some members express regret over not selecting a less controversial candidate, with one senior party member highlighting the risks associated with Kabambe’s ongoing legal issues.
Kabambe, a former governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi, vehemently denies the charges against him, branding them as politically motivated. During a recent rally in Blantyre, he urged supporters to remain steadfast, promising that he would fight to clear his name.
Political analysts caution that the uncertainty associated with Kabambe’s legal battles could place UTM in a precarious position come election time. “If Kabambe is disqualified before or during the election process, UTM will struggle to reorganize, significantly weakening their chances at the polls,” warned political scientist Ernest Chirwa.
