Fresh calls have emerged for Malawi Congress Party (MCP) secretary general Richard Chimwendo Banda to resign with party veterans and youths expressing growing discontent over his leadership.
In the latest push, George Kaunda, who leads a grouping called Msundwe Freedom Fighters, on Sunday threatened Chimwendo Banda, who was not in attendance, during an MCP Flag Day and Youth Talk event at Msundwe Trading Centre in Lilongwe.
He accused the secretary general of failing to support party members and demanded that he voluntarily steps down.
Kaunda also accused Chimwendo Banda of influencing the introduction of fees for members seeking elective positions and contributing to the party’s alleged decline.
“If Chimwendo were to appear among us, he could go missing to meet the Lord. He was honoured by being given a senior position, but he did not help us. Chimwendo has destroyed our party and constituencies,” he said.
Kaunda warned that MCP risked struggling in the 2030 General Election if Chimwendo Banda remained in office, alleging that unpopular candidates had been imposed on members during party elections.
His threat comes amid growing discontent within MCP over the party’s leadership, management of resources and preparations for its forthcoming internal elections.
But in an interview yesterday, Lilongwe Chilobwe legislator Lawrence Chakakala Chaziya (MCP), who was the guest of honour at the Msundwe event, said he condemned Kaunda’s remarks and stressed that disagreements should be resolved through dialogue.
“I do believe in contact and dialogue. I don’t share or support Kaunda’s views because I believe in the four cornerstones of obedience, loyalty, discipline and unity. Since I am disciplined, I cannot call for anyone’s removal before a convention,” he said.
Chaziya also distanced himself from alleged efforts to oust Chimwendo Banda, saying he did not personally know either Kaunda or the party veterans reportedly unhappy with the secretary general.
He also clarified that his concerns about management of MCP’s rental properties and parliamentary subventions were not allegations of embezzlement, but demands for accountability.
Chaziya said those dissatisfied with MCP president Lazarus Chakwera’s leadership were better placed to explain whether accountability should also extend to the party president.
By press time yesterday, Chimwendo Banda had not responded to The Nation questions seeking his reaction to the fresh calls.
Political science scholar Gift Sambo said the developments pointed to emerging factions within MCP, with members holding differing views on the party’s future following its electoral defeat.
In a separate interview, political analyst Chimwemwe Tsitsi also said the developments exposed persistent divisions within MCP following its 2025 electoral defeat.
On October 26, Chakwera, who lost the country’s presidency in the September 16 2025 General Election to President Peter Mutharika of Democratic Progressive Party, told MCP supporters in Blantyre that some members of his Cabinet prioritised personal interests over teamwork, weakening government cohesion and contributing to the electoral defeat.
