Tension Allegedly Emerges in MCP Leadership Amid Leaked WhatsApp Chats
Published on February 16, 2026 at 1:58 PM by Evance Kapito
Signs of possible divisions have emerged within the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) following alleged leaked WhatsApp conversations involving senior party officials.
The reported discussions are said to involve Leader of Opposition in Parliament Simplex Chithyola Banda, MCP Deputy Secretary General Gerald Kazembe, and other party officials.
Kazembe neither confirmed nor denied the authenticity of the chats, describing the matter as “internal.” However, circulating messages allegedly show Kazembe accusing Chithyola Banda of causing divisions within the party.
According to reports published by Times 360 Malawi, some senior party members reportedly did not attend a recent meeting convened as Chithyola Banda prepares to respond to the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Peter Mutharika at the opening of Parliament.
MCP spokesperson Jessie Kabwila declined to comment on the alleged WhatsApp conversations, saying she would not respond to matters shared on social media. On claims that some officials missed the meeting, Kabwila said the party is still waiting for confirmation on who was absent.
Earlier, MIJ Online reported that MCP dismissed claims of internal disagreements over the leadership of the opposition in Parliament. Kabwila maintained that the party remains united and urged Malawians to focus on the party’s official response to the SONA rather than speculation circulating online.
Source: Times360Malawi &Mij Online
