By Burnett Munthali
On January 14, 2025, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) released a statement condemning the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) for allegedly exploiting the name of President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika for political gains. At the center of the controversy is a man named Samuel Thom Mutharika, who recently joined the MCP at a rally while claiming to be a relative of the late President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika and the current DPP President, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.
Shadric Namalomba, MP and DPP’s National Publicity Secretary, categorically dismissed Samuel Thom Mutharika’s claims as fraudulent. The statement labeled him an “imposter” with no connection to the Mutharika family. Namalomba described the actions of Mr. Thom as identity fraud, stating:
> “At the age of 60, this man suddenly appeared, pretending to be a member of the Mutharika family, but he had no evidence to back up his claims. It is not the first time he has allowed himself to be used by other politicians to target the Mutharikas.”
The statement also accused Mr. Thom of knowingly engaging in deceitful behavior to advance his agenda and align himself with the MCP.
The DPP’s statement went beyond addressing Mr. Thom’s actions, accusing the Malawi Congress Party of orchestrating the situation for political gain. Namalomba called on the MCP to desist from using “manipulative tactics” to tarnish the reputation of the Mutharikas and warned the party against further exploiting their name.
> “No amount of deceit can rescue your declining party,” Namalomba said, emphasizing that the DPP remains confident in Professor Mutharika’s leadership and his prospects for victory in the September 2025 elections.
To Samuel Thom Mutharika, the DPP issued a stern warning, demanding he cease his claims of affiliation with the Mutharika family. Namalomba described his actions as not only fraudulent but deeply disrespectful to the Mutharika name.
> “Your actions are not only fraudulent but also disrespectful to their name. Stop trying to present yourself as a member of the Mutharika family.”
The statement concluded with a declaration of confidence in Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s leadership, describing him as the key to Malawi’s prosperity.
> “Regardless of any malicious attacks against our president, His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, he will emerge victorious in the September 2025 elections and guide our country towards a prosperous future.”
This incident comes at a time when political tensions are rising ahead of the 2025 general elections. The allegations of identity fraud and manipulation highlight the intense competition between the country’s major political parties.
Observers are likely to question how this incident will influence voter perceptions of both the DPP and the MCP. For the Mutharika family, the situation underscores the challenges of protecting their legacy in a highly polarized political environment.
The DPP has called on all Malawians to remain vigilant and not fall prey to fraudulent individuals or manipulative tactics. Meanwhile, the MCP is yet to respond to these allegations.
The political stage in Malawi is heating up, and incidents like these are a reminder of the high stakes involved as parties jostle for influence and public trust ahead of the polls.
