By Staff Reporter
The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has launched a fierce rebuttal against allegations that it has abandoned its Secretary General, Richard Chimwendo Banda, while he remains in police custody, branding the claims as reckless, dishonest, and politically motivated.
The sharp response follows a social media post by Nkhotakota-based parliamentarian Ayuba James, who accused the ruling party of showing no concern for Chimwendo Banda’s health and welfare during his detention. The remarks sparked public debate and raised questions about internal cohesion within the party.
However, MCP has moved swiftly to shut down the narrative.
MCP Second Spokesperson Ken Nsonda dismissed the accusations as baseless and uninformed, stating that the party has consistently visited Chimwendo Banda in hospital and has been outspoken in condemning what it views as unjustified police actions.
“These statements only expose a failure to follow facts,” Nsonda said, adding that James appeared more preoccupied with festive celebrations over Christmas and the New Year than with keeping abreast of developments within the party.
MCP has further taken aim at James’ assertion that he returned to the party because it allegedly lacks leadership. Nsonda described the claim as “nonsense,” stressing that the party’s leadership is clear, legitimate, and undisputed.
“Everyone knows that MCP is led by Lazarus Chakwera,” Nsonda said. “Suggesting otherwise is either ignorance or deliberate misinformation.”
The party’s response underscores growing intolerance within MCP for what it sees as internal sabotage disguised as public commentary. With tensions high around the arrest of its Secretary General, MCP appears determined to project unity, decisiveness, and defiance against narratives it believes are designed to weaken its standing.
As the political temperature rises, MCP’s message is blunt: it will not allow what it calls falsehoods and opportunism to define the party’s position or leadership.
