Suleman Chitera 
By Suleman Chitera, MFN Reporter
October 24, 2026
Private practice lawyer and National Advocacy Platform (NAP) chairperson Benedicto Kondowe has dismissed claims by the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) that President Peter Mutharika’s private trip to South Africa has created a leadership vacuum in the country.
Kondowe argued that Malawi’s constitutional framework provides for the functioning of government during the President’s temporary absence and does not require the Vice-President to address the nation simply to explain the President’s travel arrangements.
He cited Section 79 of the Constitution, which outlines the office and functions of the Vice-President, and Section 92(3), which provides for the presiding over Cabinet during the President’s temporary absence.
According to Kondowe, neither provision requires the Vice-President to make a public statement about the President’s private trip.
He maintained that Mutharika’s absence from the country does not automatically transfer presidential powers to another officeholder or constitute a failure by the President to discharge his constitutional responsibilities.
Kondowe described MCP’s demand for an explanation as unnecessary, warning that the party’s position could mislead the public into believing that the country cannot function effectively whenever the President is outside Malawi.
He stressed that government operations depend on established institutions and constitutional procedures rather than the President’s physical presence in the country at all times.
The remarks come amid growing political debate over Mutharika’s absence from Malawi, with opposition figures questioning the circumstances surrounding his trip and demanding clarity from the government.
Mutharika left Malawi for South Africa on October 6, 2026, for a private stay after marking his first anniversary in office.
The President’s absence has attracted political attention as the country continues to face economic challenges, including fuel shortages and pressure on the cost of living.
The MCP has called for greater clarity over the President’s whereabouts and the country’s leadership arrangements during his absence.
However, Kondowe’s position is that the President’s private travel should not, in itself, be interpreted as evidence of a leadership vacuum, arguing that constitutional provisions and established government institutions remain central to the continuity of state functions.
The debate has highlighted differing political interpretations of presidential absence, constitutional responsibilities and the public’s demand for information about the country’s leadership.
While the opposition has raised questions about the need for an official explanation, Kondowe maintains that the Constitution does not impose the specific communication requirement being demanded by the MCP.
The issue is likely to remain a subject of political discussion as Malawians seek clarity on leadership accountability and the functioning of government during the President’s absence.
