By Durell Namasani
Bon Kalindo and his Malawi First movement are facing a wave of public outrage after throwing their weight behind government lawyer Frank Mbeta, who is currently embroiled in corruption allegations.
During a press conference held in Lilongwe on Thursday, the movement, alongside the People Power Movement, dismissed the allegations against Mbeta as unfounded and urged the public to stop what they described as “character assassination” on social media.
Edward Kambanje, a senior official from the People Power Movement, insisted that those with grievances should submit their evidence to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) rather than airing them on platforms like Facebook. Kalindo echoed these sentiments, calling for responsible communication and warning against the spread of unverified information.
However, as the leaders were speaking, a parallel conversation was unfolding online—one that sharply contrasted with the tone of the press conference. Social media users flooded platforms with angry comments, accusing Kalindo of hypocrisy and abandoning his grassroots anti-corruption stance.
Many labeled the activist a “sellout,” suggesting that his defense of Mbeta signals a shift away from the people-centered advocacy that once defined his brand of politics. Others went further, dismissing him as “no longer relevant” in the fight against graft, arguing that his actions now protect the very system he once vowed to dismantle.
The backlash highlights a growing disconnect between the movement’s leadership and its base, with critics questioning whether the alliance with People Power still holds any credibility in the eyes of ordinary Malawians.
Despite the uproar, Kalindo remained defiant, reiterating his call for the ACB to step up and prove its effectiveness. But for many watching online, the damage has already been done—Kalindo’s defense of a government official accused of graft has left a stain on his reputation that will not easily be washed away.
