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By Burnett Munthali

In a strongly worded response to recent allegations aired during Karan Thom’s interview on Sunday MBC Exclusive, former President of Malawi and leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, has denounced Thom’s statements as baseless and politically motivated. The press release, issued on January 25, 2025, by the Presidential Spokesperson, Shadric Namalomba MP, refutes Thom’s claims and accuses political opponents of manipulating him for electoral gain.

The Mutharika family first encountered Karan Thom in 1999 at a rally in Njamba. Thom, then introduced by two rival politicians of Bingu wa Mutharika, was allegedly brought in to discredit Bingu, who was vying for the presidency under the United Party (UP) banner. At the time, Thom, reportedly in his sixties, falsely claimed to be a member of the Mutharika family. This prompted the family elders to summon Thom to their village to ascertain his connection to the family. However, Thom was unable to substantiate his claims.

Thom resurfaced ahead of the 2019 elections, reportedly with the support of another opposition politician. He appeared at a rally in Goliati, where he was allegedly promised a house, a promise that was never fulfilled. Now, as the country gears up for another election, Thom has re-emerged, this time in an interview on MBC. During the interview, Thom claimed to be the son of the younger brother of Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s father.

The Mutharika family has categorically dismissed this claim, stating that His Excellency’s uncle spent most of his life in Tanzania, returning to Malawi in the late 1960s with his Tanzanian wife and two children. The family clarified that the uncle’s only two children are currently living in Chisoka village and Mulanje, respectively. “This man is an imposter and a dishonest person,” the statement declared, adding that Thom’s assertion of having designed the DPP logo, the chimanga folo (maize cob), is also fictitious.

Professor Mutharika and his team view Thom’s reappearance as part of a larger political ploy orchestrated by opposition figures, particularly those within the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP). “We want to urge the MCP and other failed politicians to desist from exploiting this man for their political gain,” the statement urged.

This incident highlights the recurring use of controversial figures during election cycles to discredit political opponents. As the 2025 elections approach, the Mutharika family has called for a stop to the use of smear campaigns and urged the public to remain vigilant against false narratives.

The press release concluded with a firm reminder of the Mutharika family’s legacy, dismissing Thom’s allegations as another attempt to tarnish their name and reputation during a politically charged period.