Former Deputy Minister of Information, Kinglesley Namakhwa on Sunday, June 29, 2025 dumped the Democratic Progressive Party-DPP and joined the Alliance for Democracy-AFORD He was welcomed in the party by the party’s President Enoch Chihana at Grace Bandawe Conference Hall in Blantyre. Chihana at breathtaking speed to empower his shadow MPs and councillors with financial and material support. At the meeting, several ward councillors from UDF have dumped their party and joined the AFORD after learning that their party President Atupele Muluzi has decided to work with MCP and Chakwera. Speaking after being welcomed to the party, Namakhwa who spoke on behalf of other new members thanked the party leadership and promised to work hard to broaden the party base in the Southern Region. At the meeting, the AFORD leader revealed that he is hitting the entire nation in order to make the party strong on the ground ahead of September polls. Chihana has been in the central and eastern regions within two days meeting with shadow MPs and councillors. This week, he is expected to be in Mzuzu for the same reason.

Malawi risks tumbling into a dark abyss following the unprecedented levels of oppression and brutality as Malawians continue to register their frustrations due to rising costs of goods and services under President Dr Lazarus Chakwera leadership. This Friday, DPP Vice President for the Central Region Alfred Gangata has called for demonstrations in the Capital City, Lilongwe where thousands of youth are expected to take part. He has decided to call for the protests after some thugs believed to be sponsored by the ruling Malawi Congress Party-MCP disrupted peaceful demonstrations organized by Silvester Namiwa who was brutally beaten by those thugs. Addressing a rally at Magawa in Mchinji district, Gangata said enough is enough with MCP’s brutality. “Am going to organize demonstrations in Lilongwe this week and if the police and army don’t want to protect us, we will defend ourselves. We have two months of elections campaigns therefore , nobody must threaten us anymore. We will meet in the streets,” declared Gangata. Many people in the country are going through hell as the cost of living has gone high.

In a significant political shift, Moffat Banda, former DPP shadow MP for Chiradzulu Midima, has joined the United Transformation Movement (UTM). The ceremony, held at Lichenza in the district, was attended by top UTM officials, including Hon. Patricia Kaliati and Makondi, who welcomed Banda into the party. During their remarks, Kaliati and Makondi called on constituents to rally behind Banda, ensuring his victory in the upcoming polls and transforming the area. Banda, who began his political campaign in 2020, urged supporters to remain loyal and provide him with the necessary backing to succeed.

President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has strongly condemned the violence that marred the recent demonstrations in Lilongwe. Writing from Nigeria where he is attending an economic summit, Chakwera says Malawians have a right to protest peacefully as enshrined in the Constitution of Malawi and that destruction of property and violence are totally unacceptable and have no place in democracy. “I have therefore, directed all relevant state agencies to act swiftly and decisively to restore calm, as well to investigate what happened and ensure that all those who violated the law are held accountable.” he said. He has since ordered the Minister of Homeland security and Defence to provide him with preliminary reports on findings upon his return and to ensure that the 80 days to election day, Malawians will cast their ballots without intimidation and fear. He has since called for the society to remain vigilant against those who want to tear the society apart. However, this is not the first time violence has been unleashed on peaceful demonstrators yet no one has ever been arrested. The nation is yet to witness if indeed the perpetrators are going to be arrested . Many Malawians are skeptical if the president is serious this time around about ending political violence which has become so vicious in the central region, believed  to be sponsored by his own party, the MCP, through some cabinet ministers. Will anyone be charged for the crime that was committed in full sight of police and army?

People’s Development Party PDP has joined other stakeholders in condemning the brutal attack on peaceful protesters which took place in Lilongwe. According to the statement that has been signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Rhodes Msonkho, the party feels the conduct of Malawi Defence Force and Malawi Police Service is appalling by becoming spectators when unarmed people are being beaten. “This blatant act of lawlessness and impunity is unacceptable In a democratic society. It is a direct attack on constitutional rights – particularly the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. What is even more disturbing is that two days after this violent incident, not a single arrest has been made, despite the clear visibility of the perpetrators,” said Msonkho The party has since demanded immediate action from the authorities and the Police must rise to its constitutional duty to protect citizens and enforce the law without fear of favour by arresting those who planned, facilitated or executed the violence. The party has since commended all stakeholders who have strongly condemned the violence including the donor community.

The people of Nkungulu Constituency in Mangochi have resolutely declared their unwavering support for Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika’s presidential bid, vowing to cast their votes in his favor come September 16th. In a telephone interview with our reporter, a stalwart DPP member passionately expressed their disdain for the current MCP regime, citing the unaffordability of basic commodities like soap and cooking oil, salt, – a stark contrast to the DPP era when prices were within reach. With unbridled enthusiasm, the DPP loyalist implored party leaders to dispatch party regalia, specifically chitenje (party cloth) and t-shirts, to galvanize their campaign. Echoing this sentiment, DPP shadow MP Hon. Gerald White affirmed his constituents’ unshakeable commitment to Prof Mutharika, requesting party materials to blanket the Nkungulu area in the DPP’s signature blue, a testament to their unyielding allegiance. So far a lot of people from UDF and MCP are joining the party in large numbers,  hence the need to have more party campaign materials distributed.

In a show of support, the DPP USA wing has donated party regalia to the Central Region Women’s Directorate on June 25, 2025. The gesture aims at supporting Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika’s presidential bid ahead of the September 16 polls. Hon. Martin Nkasala, DPP USA Wing representative in Malawi, emphasized their commitment to supporting the party’s leadership and women’s initiatives. He pledged to extend similar support to other regions, underscoring the wing’s dedication to Prof. Mutharika’s campaign trail. DPP Vice President for the Central Region, Hon. Alfred Gangata, and Director of Women, Hon. Kunje, received the donation. With the current economic challenges facing the country, Prof. Mutharika’s message of hope and change is resonating well with many Malawians, positioning him strongly to win the elections.”

AFORD President Enoch Chihana has today welcomed into the party Mabel Tchongwe who lost to counsel Gift Nankhuni in the MCP primary elections. She was accompanied by over 50 constituency members who have also ditched MCP. In his remarks, Chihana said “all politics is local’ therefore it is critical for the party leadership to work with grassroots members in order to broaden the party catchment. In her remarks, Tchongwe promised to strengthen the party membership in Lilongwe City constituency and does not regret the decision.

DPP Vice President for the Central Region Alfred Gangata has emphasized the need for unity and stability in the party as keys for winning the September polls. He was speaking in Lilongwe during the presentation of certificates to several aspiring MPs and councillors who won during primary elections. Gangata said Malawians are hungry for change and that it is only Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika who can bring unity in the country and stabilise the economy before the country plunges into hyperinflation. “As a party, we must be thinking of creating a better future for the next generation. I urge fellow citizens to judge DPP based on its past economic history and how the economy grew. We had no runaway inflation. We had women traveling outside the country doing businesses and not going to UNGA to shop, siphoning the little forex we have, Malawi was a stabilized unlike the under the MCP government which came into power based on falsehoods. We are a party that promises what we can do under Professor Arthur Peter,” said Gangata. Gangata is one of the youthful leaders in DPP who is holding a very senior position in the party.