The UTM party is in a reported disarray as a K4 billion debt linked to its late leader, Saulos Chilima, comes due for payment. The party’s caretaker president and current State Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi, recently postponed a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting aimed at addressing the looming financial crisis. This decision to postpone the NEC meeting followed the arrest of party Secretary General, Patricia Kaliati, highlighting that the meeting was crucial and requirement every NEC member to be present.
The controversial loan, reportedly acquired by Chilima’s close allies without official party sanction, has sparked fierce debate among UTM members. While postponed the meeting, it has been reported that the breakaway faction is pressing on to meet as scheduled. Ironically, the breakaway faction is led by Kaliati who is currently in police custody and appearing in court today to answer criminal charges. Despite the postponement announced by Usi being aimed at waiting for Kaliati’s presence, the faction apparently led by her has decided to proceed with discussions in her absence.
Political analyst Ernest Thindwa highlighted that the open defiance of Usi’s authority by a breakaway faction underscores significant leadership disputes and organizational challenges within the party. “General acceptance remains an issue, with no consensus on leadership,” Thindwa stated.
UTM’s politburo is divided over how to handle the K4 billion liability, which many, including the party’s publicity secretary Felix Njawala, argue does not belong to the party. Some members question the absence of records indicating how the money was utilized for the party’s benefit. “What was all that money used for? It doesn’t make sense,” one female politburo member expressed, asserting that the push to adopt the debt as a UTM obligation stems from selfish motives.
Sources privy to Shire Times have confided that the forces pressing for the meeting despite the postponement are working in the interest of a DPP member, Dalitso Kabambe, whose joining of UTM to contest for its top leadership is cautioned as a DPP plot to absorb the party ahead of next year’s election. According to the source, “this debt is causing key figures in the camp that has opposed Usi from the start to push for a candidate who is more likely to take the political grouping into an alliance with a major party ready to inherit the debt”.
Meanwhile, there are indications that negotiations for a potential alliance with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are under consideration. Sources allege that discussions center around the DPP’s willingness to accept UTM’s debt in exchange for electoral support. However, dissenting voices within the DPP have cautioned against taking on financial responsibilities that did not benefit their party.
As these tensions unfold, UTM’s treasurer general, Olipa Muyaba, claimed ignorance on the issue of the debt, while UTM publicity secretary, Felix Njawala, maintained that, “We do not have this debt.” He emphasized the need for a healthy political environment, stating that the current landscape is not conducive to open dialogue.
Political analyst Victor Chipofya Junior reinforced the notion that Malawi’s political parties must operate as cohesive entities rather than being influenced by individual agendas. He cautioned against sacrificing the party’s integrity and its followers for the sake of settling debts.
With the UTM convention scheduled for November 17 in Mzuzu, six candidates, including Usi, Kaliati, former Minister of Energy Newton Kambala, former Reserve Bank Governor who is also a DPP member, Dalitso Kabambe and UTM Director of Youth Penjani Kaluwa have announced their intentions to contest for leadership.
