Estranged Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regional governor for the South Charles Mchacha has challenged party president Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) to hand over power as per his promise.

Addressing the media in Blantyre on Sunday, he said the current endorsements of Mutharika by other members are against the party’s constitution.

Mchacha (R) was fired from his position last week before
the High Court of Malawi ordered his reinstatement

While urging Mutharika not to be persuaded by what he called greedy leaders who want to promote their political agenda and enrich themselves behind the party leader’s back, Mchacha, who was fired from his position last week before the High Court of Malawi ordered his reinstatement, called on Mutharika to declare his position on the issue to bring sanity in the party.

He said: “The current endorsements of APM are questionable. APM has never spoken about it, and it’s like they are forcing him. He has told us on a number of occasions that he will hand over power in July this year at the party convention.

“APM is a very decent man and cannot support this ideology.”

While emphasising his respect for Mutharika, the Thyolo West legislator stated that the party should level the playing field for all who want to contest for the party’s presidency other than firing people for expressing dissenting views.

“There are some greedy individuals who are making decisions without even consulting our leadership. I have fought for this party and cannot be fired just like an ordinary person. APM himself has not informed me that I am fired as per requirement,” he said.

Welcomed Mchacha’s
removal: Namalomba

There have been endorsements by sections of regional committees in the North, Centre and South for Mutharika to lead the party in the 2025 Tripartite Elections.

Last week, the High Court of Malawi stopped the party from replacing Mchacha with Thomson Kamangira for opposing the endorsements.

DPP and Mutharika’s spokesperson Shadric Namalomba backed Mchacha’s dismissal, saying it was a political strategy for the party to reclaim power in the 2025 Tripartite Elections.

Prior to Mchacha’s removal, the party also dismissed Kelvin Chirambo and Joyce Chikukula as director of youth and director of women for the North, respectively.

The two were accused of opposing the endorsement of the candidature of Mutharika in the 2025 Presidential Election.

The injunction came days after Thyolo Thava legislator Mary Thom Navicha resigned as DPP deputy chief whip in Parliament, citing continued leadership wrangles.

Meanwhile, political analyst Dr George Chaima has said the chaos in DPP is a result of lack of proper guidance from the leadership.

“Every institution needs a leader with wisdom, vision and agility to steer the party further rather than killing it. When we look at the leadership style of Mutharika, you can only conclude that he is aimed at killing the party,” he said.

Cracks in DPP came to light in August 2020 after estranged secretary general Grezelder Jeffrey told The Nation that Mutharika had done his part and that the party needed a new person to lead it into the future, calling for an early convention.

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