JB condemns hate speech

Former president and People’s Party (PP) leader Joyce Banda has asked political parties to desist from hate speech  as it may work against them when pursuing alliances ahead of the September 16 2025 General Elections.

Speaking during a rally on Saturday at Kanjuchi in Mzimba South East Constituency, she said hate speech also breeds confusion among the electorate.

Said Banda: “The reason I am telling you this is because of the law which says a winner at the presidential polls should amass 50-plus-one-percent of the votes cast.

“It could be possible that parties have failed to get that number of votes on their own. What will you do in that case? Let us practice civilised politics because it is possible that parties could join forces.”

The former president, whose party is a member of the governing Tonse Alliance, urged the people to ignore politicians dwelling on politics of castigation.

She said it was important for the citizenry to ask  politicians to demonstrate proof of what they intend to fulfil their manifestos.

Said Banda: “Politicians come to the villages, promising people the moon. When they come, you need to ask them if they have once achieved what they are promising. They have to show proof of their achievements. For example the kabaza [motorbike taxis] initiative that I started is one example of something demonstrable.”

She said PP will hold its elective convention in the first week of September this year.

Despite growing endorsements among the PP rank for her to be the party’s torchbearer, the former president said that was not automatic as the convention is expected to decide.

PP publicity secretary Ackson Kalaile Banda in an interview later could not indicate whether they would ride with the Tonse Alliance or part ways.

“We are going to a convention that will usher in the party’s new leadership. So, that will be the time to take a direction. The elected leadership will give direction on that matter,” he said.

Recently, Banda accused the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), which is one of the Tonse Alliance’s main partners, of allegedly giving false information about some people who joined it.

In an interview on the sidelines of a political rally in Nancholi Township in Blantyre last month, the former president cited MCP’s recent announcement that PP vice-president for the North Ephraim Mganda Chiume had joined MCP when he left PP in 2021.