Suleman Chitera 
By Suleman Chitera
11 September 2026
Political commentator Imran Jumbe has issued a blunt warning to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), accusing the party of risking its own political future if it allows short-term interests and the protection of individuals to undermine Parliament’s constitutional oversight role.
Jumbe says the DPP must think beyond the interests of a few individuals and avoid taking decisions that could turn the party into a “political dead horse” by 2030.
According to Jumbe, preventing Parliament from scrutinising and investigating government institutions would be a serious political blunder that could come back to haunt the DPP at the ballot box.
“The DPP must be careful not to undermine its own political future by protecting the necks of a few certain corrupt individuals in its ranks,” Jumbe argues.
He says Malawians entrusted the DPP with the responsibility of delivering change, accountability and better governance—and that failure to meet those expectations could carry a heavy political price.
Jumbe’s warning comes amid the growing dispute over Parliament’s attempts to exercise its oversight powers.
For him, Parliament investigating, questioning and scrutinising government institutions should not be interpreted as an attack on the government.
Instead, he argues, it should be viewed as an opportunity for the government and the DPP to demonstrate transparency, confidence and commitment to accountability.
‘DPP Could Become A Political Dead Horse’
Jumbe delivers perhaps his strongest warning when he suggests that the DPP could pay a devastating political price if it continues down a path that makes it appear hostile to parliamentary accountability.
“If the party takes this path it will be becoming a political dead horse by 2030,” he warns.
He argues that political parties, like nations, must make decisions with future generations in mind rather than protecting immediate political interests.
Jumbe uses the image of an old man planting a tree whose shade he knows he may never enjoy, saying such an act demonstrates an understanding that genuine leadership is about building something that outlives the individual.
His message is therefore directed not only at today’s political leadership, but at the future of the DPP itself.
‘What Difference Is There?’
Jumbe also challenges the DPP to examine the standard it applies to political accountability.
He argues that a party demanding accountability from its opponents must be prepared to accept the same scrutiny when it is in government.
“If the DPP is perceived to be protecting individuals accused of stealing public resources, or if it prevents Parliament from carrying out its noble duty of holding government institutions accountable, then it risks losing its moral and political distinction,” he says.
Jumbe then poses a politically explosive question: what difference would there be between the DPP and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) if the DPP were to abandon the principles of accountability it once championed?
He references allegations surrounding MCP’s previous governance record to underline his argument that corruption and accountability cannot be judged selectively.
‘The Fight Against Corruption Cannot Be Selective’
For Jumbe, the central issue is bigger than the DPP, MCP or any individual politician.
It is about whether Malawi’s democratic institutions are allowed to function independently.
“The fight against corruption cannot be selective,” he says.
He maintains that a political party cannot demand transparency from others while resisting scrutiny when its own government institutions face questions.
Jumbe therefore calls on the DPP to allow Parliament to perform its constitutional oversight duties without political interference.
A Warning the DPP Cannot Ignore
Jumbe says public trust is difficult to rebuild once it has been destroyed.
His message to the DPP is direct: do not sacrifice the party’s long-term political survival for short-term political calculations.
“DPP must not allow short-term political calculations to destroy the very foundation on which its future depends,” he says.
He argues that allowing Parliament to investigate government institutions could actually strengthen the government by giving it an opportunity to answer questions publicly and demonstrate that there is nothing to hide.
“The DPP must stand with the people, defend accountability, and allow institutions to do their work,” Jumbe says.
Otherwise, he warns, the party could find itself facing a painful political reality by 2030.
Nobody else may need to bury the DPP. The party could end up digging its own political grave.
And Jumbe leaves Malawians with his unmistakable closing line:
“My pen 🖊 is mightier than a sword.”
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