In a shocking turn of events, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Member of Parliament, Salim Bagus, has announced that he will be running as an independent candidate in the upcoming elections.
Bagus, who represents the Chikwawa Central constituency, cited irregularities in the party’s primary elections as the reason for his decision.
According to Bagus, the primary elections were marred by mismanagement and internal conflicts. He claimed that some areas were not represented, and the presiding officer failed to effectively manage the process.
Bagus
Furthermore, Bagus pointed out discrepancies between the names of delegates on the list and those on their National IDs, which led to his withdrawal from the primaries.
The decision to run as an independent candidate is a significant development in Malawi’s political landscape.
Bagus’s move is likely to have implications for the DPP’s chances in the Chikwawa Central constituency, where he has been serving as the MP.
Bagus’s decision highlights the challenges faced by political parties in Malawi, particularly in conducting free and fair primary elections.
The irregularities cited by Bagus are not unique to the DPP, as many parties in Malawi have struggled with internal conflicts and electoral disputes.
As an independent candidate, Bagus will have the opportunity to appeal directly to the voters, without the constraints of party affiliation.
His decision to run independently may attract support from voters who are disillusioned with the traditional parties or seeking alternative leadership.
On the 2nd of May 2024, Comrade Jumbe released a deeply resonant message that reverberated through Malawi’s political landscape — a message not only of gratitude, but of firm resolve, moral urgency, and uncompromising clarity.
To the leaders of the opposition parties in Malawi, Comrade Jumbe extended his heartfelt thanks.
He acknowledged not merely their voices, but more profoundly, their courage to align with truth in a time of democratic uncertainty.
Their willingness to act on his call — a call for an audit of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) voter registration roll — was recognized as more than political maneuvering; it was characterized as an act of civic bravery.
Jumbe
He described this gesture not as routine, but as the spark of collective vigilance that democracy so desperately requires.
Quoting, “When the wise hear the cry of justice, they do not turn away — they rise,” Jumbe reminded the nation that moral clarity must be the response to injustice.
In an age where political comfort often trumps conscience, he hailed these leaders for choosing principle over passivity.
Jumbe evoked the proverb, “A single tree does not make a forest,” to emphasize that without their united stand, the voices of ordinary Malawians would have been diminished and perhaps silenced.
Together, he said, this unity reinforced the fragile but vital foundation of the country’s democracy.
With conviction, he dispelled any notion that his call for judicial intervention was just political theater.
In his own words, “A barking dog may frighten the thief, but it is the bite that brings justice,” he asserted that action — not noise — defines true accountability.
He made it unmistakably clear that Malawi is not a toy to be mishandled by those charged with protecting its democratic integrity.
The demands being made, he declared, are not mere suggestions or pleas for favor.
They are, as he described, “a cry for fairness, truth, and dignity” — the non-negotiable essentials of any credible electoral process.
He laid out five demands, beginning with the call for a complete and fresh voter registration process.
Describing the current MEC roll as “a scar upon the face of democracy,” he went further to say it is not just flawed, but “rotten at the root.”
He invoked the metaphor, “You cannot straighten a shadow when the stick is bent,” to illustrate the futility of conducting a credible election using a corrupted register.
The second demand was for the removal of all partisan operatives within the MEC.
Jumbe stressed that no institution can wear the badge of neutrality if it is painted with partisan allegiance.
He reminded the nation, “You cannot serve two masters and remain faithful to truth,” insisting that veterans of political camps have no role in a body meant to safeguard impartiality.
Thirdly, he called for the end of the use of Smartmatic, the controversial electoral technology provider.
According to Jumbe, “Technology should be a servant of truth, not a tool for deceit,” and any system tainted by mistrust must be replaced with one founded on transparency.
“What is built on deception will collapse with truth,” he warned, underscoring the necessity of technological credibility in modern elections.
The fourth demand involved the extension of the voter registration period, which he said was unjustly narrow and excluded many would-be voters.
“A rushed process is a robbed process,” he noted, invoking the maxim, “Justice hurried is justice buried,” to warn against the dangers of haste in democratic procedures.
Finally, Jumbe demanded an independent audit of the voter roll — one led not by the compromised, but by credible, independent experts.
“If there is nothing to hide, let the light shine,” he challenged, citing the parable, “When the fox guards the henhouse, the farmer must take charge,” to explain the necessity of people-led verification.
Should these demands be disregarded, Jumbe made it clear that the path forward would be legal action.
He signaled a readiness to take the matter to the courts, reminding MEC and the nation that “The mill of justice grinds slowly, but it grinds exceedingly fine.”
He warned that no institution should consider itself immune from scrutiny, and no citizen should feel beneath dignity.
To MEC, he sent a direct caution: “Do not mistake silence for surrender.”
“Still waters run deep,” he wrote, warning that the people’s patience should not be misinterpreted as weakness.
And when patience is exhausted, history has shown that even the seemingly immovable — the mountains of injustice — can be shifted.
To his fellow Malawians, Jumbe issued a call to remain alert and engaged: “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
He urged citizens to remember that the soul of the republic depends not on institutional promises but on the enduring power of the people.
He closed with a rallying cry: let us press forward with “truth as our banner, and justice as our compass.”
In his final note, Jumbe affirmed his unwavering commitment to advocacy, concluding that his pen is mightier than a sword.
The President of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), Bishop Martin Anwell Mtumbuka, has commended the former Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese, Reverend John Ryan, for his unwavering commitment to defending the poor and speaking truth to power.
In his address, Bishop Mtumbuka, who also serves as the head of the Karonga Diocese, specifically highlighted Bishop Ryan’s bold stance in condemning injustices carried out by the Malawi Defence Force in Kasasile, Nkhatabay.
President Chakwera in Mzuzu
He noted that Bishop Ryan stood up to defend ordinary citizens when they were reportedly mistreated by security forces, emphasizing that such actions from a religious leader exemplify moral courage and a true sense of justice.
Bishop Mtumbuka applauded Bishop Ryan’s call for the equal treatment of all Malawians regardless of their social or geographical background, describing it as a gesture of compassion and solidarity with the marginalized.
In the same breath, Bishop Mtumbuka, in his capacity as MCCB President, took the opportunity to urge all political actors to promote peace and tolerance as the country heads toward its September 16th elections.
He appealed to politicians to conduct themselves with dignity and to avoid rhetoric or actions that could incite violence, emphasizing the church’s commitment to maintaining harmony and national unity.
These remarks were made during the installation ceremony of the new Bishop of Mzuzu Diocese, the Right Reverend Yohane Sugzo Nyirenda, marking a significant moment of transition in the local church leadership.
Bishop Mtumbuka’s words reflected a strong message of continuity in the church’s mission: to stand with the oppressed, to speak truth without fear, and to serve as a moral compass during politically sensitive times.
As Malawi approaches a critical electoral moment, such calls from religious leadership underscore the need for restraint, respect, and responsibility among all citizens and leaders alike.
The road rehabilitation within the capital city of Lilongwe ends at the mosque popularly known as “Pamzikiti.”
This abrupt ending has raised questions among residents and observers about the project’s planning, execution, and overall direction.
The initial intention of this project was to ensure that all roads within the city be rehabilitated.
It was a bold and ambitious plan aimed at modernizing Lilongwe’s infrastructure, improving transportation, and enhancing the city’s aesthetic and economic appeal.
However, it now appears that the funds allocated for this project have been exhausted before completion.
This sudden halt is not just a matter of inconvenience but a symbol of deeper systemic issues in public project implementation and fiscal management.
One interesting observation about this project is the unusually long period it has taken to be completed—from 2020 to 2025—almost five years.
In a city with growing traffic and increasing demands for urban development, such delays significantly affect productivity, public trust, and mobility.
Reports indicate that the initial road contractors for this network rehabilitation project were Mota-Engil during the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government under President Peter Mutharika.
This phase of the project was backed by funding sourced from Japan, reflecting bilateral cooperation with developmental intentions.
However, the 2020 presidential election court case dramatically shifted the political landscape.
The court ruled in favor of a fresh election, which brought in the Tonse Alliance government under President Lazarus Chakwera.
With a new administration came a shift in priorities and changes in how national projects were managed.
The Tonse Alliance government reallocated construction contracts, choosing new companies to continue and complete the road rehabilitation project.
As part of this restructuring, a Chinese company was identified to work on the section of the road that includes the one ending at Pamzikiti.
This same Chinese company is also currently working on the Lilongwe Bridge, signaling a broader engagement with Chinese contractors in Malawi’s infrastructure sector.
While the reasons for the reallocation may have included cost efficiency, capacity, or political considerations, the outcome has been a project dragged across two administrations with inconsistent progress.
This transition between governments and contractors may also explain the delays, budget issues, and apparent disconnect between the project’s initial scope and its current status.
Citizens, especially in urban centers like Lilongwe, deserve clarity and accountability on projects funded in their name.
Transparency in procurement processes, clarity on project timelines, and regular updates to the public would go a long way in rebuilding confidence in public infrastructure initiatives.
Furthermore, the recurring reliance on foreign contractors—whether Portuguese, Japanese-funded, or Chinese—raises concerns about local capacity development and the long-term sustainability of infrastructure management in Malawi.
This road rehabilitation project is more than just asphalt and machinery; it reflects a story of ambition, disruption, and the need for consistency in governance.
Moving forward, stakeholders must ensure that such vital projects are protected from political transitions and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
Only then can Malawi achieve the infrastructural transformation it urgently needs and deserves.
Malawi’s local football team emerged victorious against South Africa, winning 1-0 at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday in the CHAN tournament.
The decisive goal came in the 87th minute when Zeliati Nkhoma headed home Wisdom Mpinganjira’s corner kick, giving Malawi a crucial advantage in the two-legged encounter.
According to Flames coach Calisto Pasuwa, Malawi controlled the first half, but it was in the second half that they managed to score the winning goal.
Pasuwa likened the two-match series to a single game, with the first leg being the first half and the second leg being the second half. “We need to motivate our players,” he emphasized.
Sports analyst Charles Nyerenda believes Malawi has a good chance of qualifying for the next stage.
“In football, everything is possible, but Malawi has a chance due to the results they got in the first match,” Nyerenda said.
The return match is scheduled for coming weekend in South Africa. Malawi will need only a favorable result to book their place at the CHAN finals.
