By Apengie Apengire
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is facing internal strife following the appointment of Rhoda Gadama as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Council.
Senior party leaders and ministers are reportedly furious, citing the party’s stance on candidates who fail in primary elections and then stand as independents.
According to sources, Rhoda Gadama’s appointment is seen as a betrayal of the party’s principles, as she failed in the primary elections for Mulanje Central Constituency and then stood as an independent candidate, ultimately contributing to the defeat of the DPP’s candidate, Damson Chelewani. Rhoda’s sister and brother, Mphatso Gadama and Jones Gadama, were also DPP shadow members of Parliament for Mulanje Central, but they withdrew their candidature to pave the way for Rhoda on the DPP ticket.
Their decision was seen as a show of family unity, but Rhoda’s subsequent decision to dump the party and stand as an independent candidate has left a sour taste.
247Malawi News tried to get a comment from government spokesperson Shadrick Namalomba, but his phone went unanswered after 8 attempts.
Our publication has established that Namalomba, like his predecessor Moses Kumkuyu, is not media-friendly, and the position of government spokesperson is too heavy for him.
We recommend he be stripped of this position and replaced with someone who interacts with the media and responds to calls.
Other failed and fallen appointees who have benefited from the party’s appeasement policy include Gladys Ganda, CEO of Southern Region Water Board; Yeremiah Chihana, CEO of Blantyre Water Board; Julius Chione, Northern Region Water Board; and Edna Manda, Sunbird Tourism.
These appointments have sparked outrage among DPP loyalists, who feel that the party is rewarding those who have failed to deliver.
A senior minister warned that the DPP risks tumbling if it does not address the issue, stating, “DPP if not careful will also tumble one day.” The minister added that Gadama’s actions were a betrayal of the party’s trust.
The controversy highlights the challenges facing the DPP, with some members questioning the party’s commitment to democracy and inclusivity.
The appointment has sparked debate about the party’s direction and the role of influential figures in shaping its decisions.
The DPP’s problems are not new, but this latest scandal has brought the party’s internal divisions to the forefront.
The party’s leadership is facing calls to take action against those who have betrayed the party’s trust.
As one senior party member put it, “The DPP needs to take a hard look at itself and ask why it’s rewarding failure.”
Malawians are watching as the DPP’s internal strife unfolds.
It remains to be seen how the party will address these challenges and whether it can recover from this latest scandal.
In the meantime, Malawinews247 will continue to bring you updates on this developing story.
We will also be seeking comments from the DPP’s leadership and other stakeholders in the coming days.
