Suleman Chitera 
By Suleman Chitera, MFN Reporter
October 22, 2026
Political commentator Imran Jumbe has urged the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leadership to investigate concerns surrounding the management of Umodzi Park Holdings, warning that alleged misconduct and poor leadership within government institutions could undermine public confidence in the administration.
In a strongly worded statement titled “DPP Must Guard Against Internal Sabotage: Umodzi Park, We Are Watching You,” Jumbe cautioned that the government risks losing the trust of Malawians if individuals entrusted with public responsibilities fail to uphold accountability, transparency and fair administrative practices.
Jumbe said the struggle for political change was intended to improve governance, strengthen public institutions and restore citizens’ confidence in government, rather than replace one set of governance problems with another.
He argued that developments in some government institutions, including Umodzi Park, were raising questions about whether the principles that motivated calls for political change were being upheld.
“The struggle for change was never meant to replace one set of problems with another; it was meant to restore public confidence, strengthen institutions, promote accountability, and give Malawians a government that serves their interests,” Jumbe said.
Jumbe Raises Concerns Over Umodzi Park Management
Jumbe singled out Umodzi Park Holdings, raising concerns about the conduct of its Acting Chief Executive Officer, Jonathan Mwakyelu.
He referred to allegations that employees had been dismissed arbitrarily and without adequate consideration of established procedures or appropriate oversight.
However, the allegations require verification, and the circumstances surrounding the reported dismissals have not been independently established in Jumbe’s statement. Mwakyelu’s response to the concerns was also not included.
Jumbe called on the relevant authorities to establish the facts and ensure that decisions affecting employees comply with the law and principles of good governance.
He maintained that public institutions should operate under established rules and accountability mechanisms rather than being managed according to the discretion of individual officeholders.
“No public institution should become the personal territory of an individual, and no employee should be subjected to decisions that disregard fairness, due process, and institutional accountability,” he said.
His concerns place the spotlight on the importance of transparent management of public institutions, particularly when decisions involving employment and administrative authority are contested.
Warning Against Internal Sabotage
Beyond the situation at Umodzi Park, Jumbe warned the DPP against individuals whose conduct could damage the government’s reputation from within.
He argued that incompetence, alleged abuse of authority, internal divisions and decisions that undermine public confidence could weaken an administration even without pressure from political opponents.
According to Jumbe, the actions of public officials can have far-reaching consequences for a government that has promised to improve the country’s governance.
He cautioned that the government should not assume that its biggest challenges will necessarily come from opposition parties, arguing that failures within its own institutions could also erode public trust.
“A government does not necessarily lose public confidence only because of its opponents; sometimes, it loses that confidence through the actions of those entrusted with protecting it,” he said.
Jumbe’s remarks amount to a call for the DPP leadership to pay closer attention to the conduct of officials serving in government institutions and to address legitimate complaints before they develop into wider governance concerns.
Calls for Investigation and Accountability
Jumbe appealed directly to the DPP leadership to investigate the concerns surrounding Umodzi Park Holdings and demand accountability wherever wrongdoing is established.
He warned against allowing the actions of individual officials to undermine the credibility of the entire administration.
He also stressed that leadership positions should be treated as a public responsibility rather than an opportunity to intimidate employees, victimise individuals or create unnecessary instability.
For Jumbe, investigating the concerns is not simply a question of protecting workers but also an important test of the government’s commitment to the governance standards it has promised to uphold.
He argued that the appropriate authorities must examine the circumstances surrounding the allegations and take corrective action where necessary.
His statement, however, did not provide documentary evidence to substantiate the allegations against the Umodzi Park leadership. An independent investigation and responses from the institution’s management would be necessary to establish the facts.
DPP Urged Not to Repeat Past Governance Mistakes
Jumbe further argued that Malawians who advocated political change expected improvements in transparency, accountability, respect for workers and responsible leadership.
He said citizens had invested time, energy and resources in demanding change because they wanted a government that would do things differently.
He warned that repeating governance practices previously criticised under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) would risk disappointing those who expected a different approach from the DPP administration.
“We did not spend our time, energy, and resources advocating for political change only to watch the same mistakes repeated under a different administration,” Jumbe said.
He urged the party’s leadership to treat concerns raised within government institutions seriously, rather than waiting until public dissatisfaction becomes more widespread.
Using the image of a tree whose roots are being destroyed beneath the soil, Jumbe suggested that institutional weaknesses can remain hidden until their consequences become difficult to reverse.
He also used the metaphor of termites eating away at a house’s foundation to emphasise the danger of internal failures.
‘We Are Watching’
Despite his criticism, Jumbe maintained that his intervention was motivated by a desire to see Malawi succeed rather than a wish for the government to fail.
He described speaking out against wrongdoing and demanding corrective action as essential elements of patriotism and collective responsibility.
He called on political leaders, public servants and citizens to play their part in protecting democratic progress and rebuilding the country.
“We remain watchful, not because we wish the government to fail, but because we want Malawi to succeed,” he said.
Jumbe concluded by warning that the DPP should address the concerns before they undermine public confidence in its administration.
“A wise captain does not wait for the ship to sink before investigating the water entering its hull,” he said.
His message to the ruling party is that political change alone is insufficient without effective leadership, institutional accountability and respect for established procedures.
The key question now is whether the concerns raised about Umodzi Park Holdings will prompt an investigation that establishes the facts, gives all parties an opportunity to respond and determines whether corrective action is necessary.
