Money at play in DPP primaries: Delegates paid MK200,000 each to vote for a candidate in South Lunzu Constituency
Published on May 1, 2025 at 1:03 PM by Robert Ngwira
As various political parties intensify preparations ahead of the September 16, 2025 general elections, faceofmalawi has established that some candidates who are vying for the Ward Councillor-ship and Member of Parliament posts are buying delegates to vote for them during primaries.
This has been reported in various constituencies and the latest being South Lunzu Constituency where the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) recently conducted primaries and six candidates battled out.
According to information at hand, one of the candidates who won the primary polls held on April 25, 2025 at DPP regional office in Blantyre, Veronica Ndalama, paid 300 delegates money amounting to MK15 million and each delegate went away with MK50,000.
As this was not enough, Ndalama promised to pay each delegate MK150,000 after her victory, a promise which she is yet to fulfill.
The delegates also pocked MK4.5 million from Shadreck Banda and each delegates went away with MK15,000 each and he also promised a shopping voucher of MK100,000 after his victory.
One of the delegates who opted for anonymity nicknamed Mabvuto Chagwamtengo from Area 12 confirmed of the development with faceofmalawi reporter.
“Yes it is true we received MK50, 000 each from Veronica Ndalama and we were also promised to receive MK150, 000 each after a win. Izizi zinapangisa anthu ambiri kuvotela Mayi Ndalama chifukwa cha chithumba chomwe anatipasa kulingalilanso ndi nyengo zomwe ife tikudusamo ngakhale kuti anthu ambiri mayiwa sakuwafuna,” he said.
Concurring with Chagwamtengo’s remarks Angella Juvinala from Area 5 not her real name said: “Tinaitanidwa usiku ndikukapasidwa ndalama yokwana MK50,000 ndiponso ndikupasidwa coupon yolembedwa dzina lathu, phone number komanso ndalama yokwana MK150,000 yomwe tinalonjezedwa kuzapasidwa akawina. Ma coupon awawa amatololedwa pomwe tonse tinali pa nzere nthawi yovota.”
According to Juvinala, money influenced the outcome of the primaries.
The incident of candidates was also reported in Blantyre City South-West constituency, Thyolo-Thava Constituency and some Constituencies in Central region.
Effort to talk to DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba proved futile.
