Namalomba tells MCP to ‘shut up’

Government spokesperson Shadric Namalomba has told the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to “shut up”, accusing it of creating the problems it is now demanding the government to solve.

Namalomba, who is also Minister of Information, was reacting to concerns raised by MCP officials during a press briefing in Lilongwe on Thursday over fuel shortages, blackouts and the rising cost of living.

“That is why Malawians voted us into government, not them. May I request them to seal their mouths as we address the problems they miserably created and failed to solve,” he said.

During the briefing, MCP campaign director Moses Kunkuyu and publicity secretary Jessie Kabwila called on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration to explain the measures it was taking to address the economic challenges affecting Malawians.

The party expressed concern over the continued fuel shortages, unreliable electricity supply and rising prices of essential goods and services, saying the government needed to account for its response to the hardships facing households and businesses.

MCP also questioned the circumstances surrounding President Peter Mutharika’s private trip to South Africa, raising concerns about who was in charge of the country during his absence.

However, Namalomba dismissed suggestions that the President’s absence had created a power vacuum, insisting that a president remained in charge at all times and in all places.

He described Mutharika’s visit as a private trip but did not provide further details about the visit.

The exchange comes as MCP steps up its criticism of the DPP administration over the economic difficulties facing the country.

The party, led by former president Lazarus Chakwera, lost power to Mutharika in the September 2025 elections after five years in government.