DPP tears into itself as Mukhito takes on Suleman

The cracks within the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are becoming harder to hide, with Secretary General Peter Mukhito firing a pointed warning at Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman.

Mukhito says Suleman’s parliamentary oversight must not turn into an alternative centre of executive authority, warning that the roles of Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary must remain clearly separated.

Mukhito said this in a statement on Thursday following concerns raised by Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman during his recent press briefing.

Mukhito said the party respects the constitutional independence of Parliament and its oversight role, but maintained that senior DPP officials holding public office are also expected to respect the constitutional mandate of President Peter Mutharika, the authority of the Executive and collective party responsibility.

According to Mukhito, Mutharika and his government were given a mandate by Malawians to govern, implement policies and deliver development.

“The DPP therefore reminds all members of the Central Executive Committee that public office must be exercised with responsibility, restraint and respect for institutional boundaries,” said Mukhito.

Suleman raised several issues during his briefing, including the Salima water project, civil servants’ contributory pension scheme, electricity generation and supply, ESCOM and EGENCO, NOCMA, passport services, delays in the administration of justice, prison conditions, mining, agriculture and the tobacco sector.

The DPP acknowledges that the issues raised are important national matters that deserve scrutiny.

However, the party says concerns involving contracts, public finances and procurement should be handled by institutions legally mandated to investigate and take corrective action.

It says passport challenges should be addressed by responsible government institutions and, where necessary, examined by relevant parliamentary committees.

The party has also recognised concerns over delayed judgments, prolonged detention and prison conditions, while emphasising the need to respect judicial independence.

Mukhito said the party’s position is that Parliament must exercise oversight, the Executive must be allowed to govern, the Judiciary must remain independent and party leaders must respect party discipline.

The statement highlights the delicate position occupied by Suleman, who serves as Speaker of Parliament while also sitting on the DPP Central Executive Committee.

Mukhito said the office of Speaker must be exercised with impartiality and fidelity to the Constitution, while also arguing that a senior DPP official must remain conscious of the political organisation whose confidence and parliamentary support contributed to his elevation.

The DPP says it will not discourage legitimate oversight or shield wrongdoing.

However, it says it will not accept conduct that unnecessarily weakens the authority of the President, frustrates government programmes or creates avoidable confrontation between the party and government.

“Political maturity demands consultation before confrontation,” said Mukhito.

The party argues that accountability should strengthen government rather than paralyse it, while parliamentary oversight should expose and correct weaknesses instead of becoming an alternative centre of executive authority.

The development places renewed focus on the balance between Parliament’s constitutional oversight responsibilities and the Executive’s mandate to govern, with several of the issues raised by Suleman directly affecting public services and the daily lives of Malawians.

The DPP says it wants its leaders to remain united, disciplined and focused on delivering development, restoring essential public services, strengthening national institutions and improving the lives of Malawians.