By Lyson Swala
Member of Parliament(MP ) for Lilongwe Nyanja Constituency and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Director of Youth, Steven Malondera, has accused president Arthur Peter Mutharika of deliberately delaying the announcement of his full Cabinet for political reasons, alleging that the move is aimed at rewarding loyalists rather than prioritizing national development.
In an interview with 247 Malawi News, Malondera claimed that Mutharika’s hesitation to finalize the Cabinet has nothing to do with finding competent leaders, but rather with internal political calculations surrounding the upcoming Speaker of Parliament election, scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
“Some of his supporters claim he is taking time to pick the most competent and experienced leaders. That, however, is far from the truth.The delay is deliberate, strategic, and deeply political. The President wants the Speaker’s office filled first because he has his eyes on Sameer Suleman for the position,” he said.
According to the MP, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) does not have an absolute majority in Parliament, making Suleman’s victory uncertain.
He alleged that Mutharika plans to use Cabinet appointments as rewards for MPs who campaign for Suleman’s candidacy.
“If Suleman wins, those who campaigned for him will be rewarded with Cabinet posts. If he loses, Suleman himself and his close allies will still be appointed.If the President appoints a full Cabinet before the Speaker election, many DPP MPs will be disgruntled and may not support the party’s candidate for Speaker” said Malondera.
He further argued that the Cabinet delay reflects a pattern of patronage politics that prioritizes loyalty over competence.
“This is not about merit, governance, or delivery, it is about rewarding cronies.Citizens must open their eyes to the propaganda being sold that this is a ‘return to proven leadership.’ Is it really? Or is it just politics of favoritism returning under a new label?,” he said.
The MCP legislator also alleged that a number of individuals tipped for Cabinet positions have pending legal cases or are under investigation.
“Over 80 percent of those expected to be appointed have pending bail cases.How they got those cases is a story for another day,” he claimed.
Malondera concluded by warning Malawians to watch closely how Cabinet appointments unfold after the Speaker election.
“Mark my words, once the Speaker issue is resolved, the pattern will be clear. This is about rewarding loyalty, not serving the nation.I will not be silent, no matter how much they try to silence me,” he said.
President Mutharika has yet to respond to the allegations.
