Leader of the Opposition, Simplex Chithyola-Banda yesterday declared that Malawians are “barely surviving” after six months of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rule.
During his remarks marking the close of the parliamentary sitting in Lilongwe, Chithyola-Banda argued that citizens have endured punitive taxes and a suffocating volume of transaction levies that have made daily life unbearable.
Beyond the rising cost of living, he highlighted a resurgence in violent crime as a major national concern.
Chithyola-Banda noted that while maize price limits temporarily eased headline inflation, these gains were being wiped out by skyrocketing fuel prices.
He warned that government price controls in a liberalised economy are unsustainable and could stifle productivity, urging instead for an affordable maize policy rooted in lowering production costs.
Chithyola-Banda also accused the government of harassing opposition leaders through what he termed “unwarranted arrests” and the deliberate delay of bail.
Claiming the administration is engaged in a political witch-hunt, Chithyola-Banda called for an immediate change in approach.
Furthermore, the opposition leader criticised government’s failure to release farm-gate prices, warning that the delay leaves farmers vulnerable to exploitation by vendors.
“We are adjourning sine die today with no hope for our farmers,” Banda stated.
“At a time when harvesting has begun, one would expect a proactive government to have set crop prices already. Instead, the DPP administration remains silent.”
Leader of the House Jappie Mhango called for patience from Malawians, asserting that significant national change cannot be achieved in just six months.
Maintaining that the country is on the right track, Mhango emphasised that President Peter Mutharika is deeply committed to the nation’s progress.
Mhango described t h e parliamentary meeting as a success, highlighting the passage of the budget.
Key highlights include the rollout of free secondary education and a reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF), now pegged at K5 billion.
“The government is working tirelessly to transform this country, and we are confident of success. Let us work together to lift our people out of their current challenges,” Mhango stated.
However, in his concluding remarks, Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman criticised the high rate of absenteeism among members of Parliament during this session.
He noted that the frequent absence of lawmakers disrupted proceedings and hindered effective deliberation on critical national issues, calling on MPs to improve their attendance in future sessions to ensure the House functions smoothly.
Lawmakers have been in session since February 13 2026, following President Mutharika’s State of the Nation Address.
During this period, they passed the K10.9 trillion 2026/2027 budget and six bills.
Additionally, the Public Accounts Committee presided over a public inquiry into the controversial sale of Amaryllis Hotel while the House also constituted a Commission of Inquiry into the June 10 2024 Chikangawa plane crash, which is set to begin its investigations next week.
