By Durell Namasani
In a striking political assessment that has sent ripples through Malawi’s opposition circles, Lilongwe Nyanja Member of Parliament Steve Baba Malondera has publicly stated that former President Lazarus Chakwera was a capable leader whose tenure was ultimately undermined by the very people surrounding him. Speaking as a special guest at a political gathering organized by Lawrence Chakakala Chaziya at Malembo Primary School grounds, Malondera argued that Chakwera’s personal leadership was never the problem—rather, it was the advisors and close associates who orchestrated poor decisions and isolated the president from ground realities.
The MCP Director of Youth did not mince words, asserting that these same individuals bear significant responsibility for the party’s disappointing performance in the recent elections. According to Malondera, their self-serving interests and failure to provide sound counsel effectively sabotaged what could have been a more successful administration. His candid remarks represent a rare moment of internal party criticism, given the MCP’s traditionally disciplined hierarchy.
In a parallel critique, Malondera took aim at the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government, specifically condemning its controversial use of a private jet to facilitate cash repatriation from South Africa. He lambasted the administration for what he described as reckless fiscal extravagance, contrasting the exorbitant cost of flying a single asylum seeker from South Africa with the modest resources allocated to genuine developmental needs confronting ordinary Malawians.
The gathering, which drew a significant crowd of party faithful and community members, was also attended by other prominent MCP legislators including Edward Chileka and Rhita Sanga. Their presence underscored the growing unease within opposition ranks regarding the party’s strategic direction. Malondera’s address at Malembo signals a potential realignment within MCP as the party grapples with its electoral defeat and seeks to rebuild trust with a disillusioned electorate. Political analysts suggest such public introspection, while risky, may be necessary for the MCP to regain its footing ahead of future contests.
