• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home Africa

Malawi VP launches party, attacks President

21 July 2018, 9:24 PM  |
AFP AFP |  @SABCNews

Image: AFP

Malawi’s vice-president Saulos Chilima launched his own political party Saturday to run against the government in elections next year, persisting in his public attack on President Peter Mutharika’s cabinet.

Chilima, 45, was handpicked Mutharika to run alongside him in 2014 on the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) ticket.
But Chilima quit the DPP last month citing corruption and nepotism.

Following mounting calls for him to run in the May 2019 vote, he launched the United Transformation Movement (UTM) in the capital Lilongwe, seeking to unseat the 79-year-old Mutharika.

“It is because of the rot that we are seeing all over that we are launching UTM,” Chilima said.

“We should not allow people to continue treating us like fools. Everyone should have a bright future regardless of where they come from or the political party they support.”

The ruling party has been plagued by calls from civil action groups for its leader to resign after a leaked report by the Anti-Corruption Bureau accused Mutharika of receiving a $195,000 (167,000 euros) kickback from a contract to supply food to the police.

Chilima continued his scathing attack on the DDP and Mutharika, accusing it of failing Malawians since gaining power four years ago.

He said his party’s mission was to guide Malawi on the path to prosperity by tackling unemployment, power shortages, corruption and creating viable markets for farmers.

The UTM also unveiled influential politicians as party members, including the Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya, and former first ladies Callista Mutharika and Shanil Dzimbiri.

University of Malawi political analyst Henry Chingaipe said while there was a clear articulation of policy positions on selected issues by the UTM, some of its aims appear unrealistic.

“The creation of one million jobs in the first year is politically sexy, especially for the youth but the broad framework or strategy that he described for this is unlikely to be pulled off within a year,” he told AFP.

“On agriculture, there was nothing new… the solutions came across as hot air.”

Successive Malawian heads of state have been embroiled in graft and corruption scandals in the aid-dependent country.

In April, thousands of Malawians took part in the country’s first nationwide anti-government demonstrations since 2011.

The marches, organised by civil action groups, were against alleged corruption and poor governance under Mutharika.

Share article
Tags: MalawiVice PresidentPolitical partyPeter MutharikaPublic attackSaulos Chilima
Previous Post

Cuba’s new constitution would allow same-sex marriages

Next Post

Police intervene at N West ANC conference

Related Posts

Kenya economic growth to edge up this year, World Bank says

7 June 2023, 6:09 AM
A firefighter walks near cars damaged during a massive Russian drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 30, 2023.

African Peace Initiative for Ukraine/Russia war ready to depart: Ramaphosa

6 June 2023, 8:12 PM
Sudan's General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan stands among troops,in an unknown location, in this picture released on May 30, 2023.

Clashes between Sudan’s warring factions intensify, no end in sight

6 June 2023, 1:34 PM
A man walks while smoke rises above buildings after aerial bombardment, during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North, Sudan, May 1, 2023.

Shelling, looting in Sudan’s capital as military factions battle for 8th week

6 June 2023, 8:03 AM
The UN Habitat Assembly.

President Ruto officially opens second UN Habitat Assembly in Kenya

5 June 2023, 2:27 PM
[File Image] Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi.

Kubayi to represent SA at UN Habitat Assembly on sustainable urbanisation in Kenya

5 June 2023, 10:09 AM
Next Post
North West police

Police intervene at N West ANC conference

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Eastern Cape ActionSA raises eyebrows over qualifications of senior officials
  • Unisa suspends registrar for various breaches of policy
  • Slain teen Palesa Malatji’s family calls for death sentence to be reinstated
  • Orlando Pirates player Thembinkosi Lorch found guilty of assault
  • Limpopo district embroiled in fraudulent travel claims
  • Dr Nandipha’s looks during court appearances under the spotlight
  • Deadline for Zimbabwean Exemption Permits draws near
  • Reserve Bank expected to increase repo rate on Thursday
  • Zimbabwe receives 18 helicopters from Russian Federation
  • Eastern Cape ActionSA raises eyebrows over qualifications of senior officials
  • Orlando Pirates player Thembinkosi Lorch found guilty of assault
  • Construction of softball stadium halted in Limpopo
  • Limpopo ANC PEC orders municipalities to recover lost public funds in VBS scandal
  • Zwane expected to remain Chiefs coach despite dismal season
  • Buses in Tshwane grind to a halt due to strike by SAMWU workers

LATEST

Gold gavel and block.
  • South Africa

Limpopo man accused of murdering seven family members back in court


Flowers with candles in the background
  • South Africa

Final send-off for veteran actor Patrick Ndlovu


File Image: SAMWU members hold posters during a strike.
  • South Africa

Bus operations suspended due to Samwu strike in Tshwane


The inaugural LIV Golf Invitational - Centurion Club, Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, Britain - June 10, 2022 England's Sam Horsfield of the Majesticks team in action during the second round REUTERS
  • Sport
  • Golf

PGA Tour reaches surprise merger deal with Saudis, LIV Golf


FILE PHOTO: Representations of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies on a screen showing binary codes are seen through a magnifying glass in this illustration picture taken September 27, 2021. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo
  • Business

Asia stocks hold up, China gives up some gains after weak trade data


FILE PHOTO: Houses are seen in the Debussy neighbourhood
  • World

Fatal quake hits Haiti as it reels from floods


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous Cuba’s new constitution would allow same-sex marriages
Next North West police Police intervene at N West ANC conference