Gangata to Mtandire: Development first, court case later

A looming Supreme Court showdown over his parliamentary seat has failed to shake Alfred Gangata, with the Youth Development, Sports and Culture Minister telling Mtandire-Mtsiliza residents to stay calm and keep their eyes on development.

Speaking before a charged crowd at Chilimampunga Ground, Gangata brushed aside concerns over an election petition filed by rival politician George Zulu, insisting he remains firmly in charge as MP while the legal battle plays out.

Zulu is challenging the outcome of the 16 September 2026 parliamentary election, which saw Gangata declared the winner, setting the stage for a high-stakes Supreme Court verdict that could have major political consequences.

But Gangata struck a defiant tone.

“Don’t worry,” was the message from the minister as he launched a string of multi-billion-kwacha projects under the Reformed Constituency Development Fund (RCDF).

And these are no small projects.

Residents are set to benefit from a new hospital, a secondary school and major road infrastructure works, developments expected to transform service delivery in one of Lilongwe’s most densely populated constituencies.

Gangata also seized the moment to heap praise on President Professor Peter Mutharika, hailing the fulfilment of a pledge to channel K5 billion to every constituency nationwide.

The minister said the unprecedented funding would fast-track development and bring long-awaited projects directly to communities.

Meanwhile, Lilongwe City Council official Mussa Mwale revealed the Mtandire-Mtsiliza projects carry a hefty price tag of around K3.6 billion.

Even more eye-catching is the timeline.

According to Mwale, all the projects are expected to be completed within just five months, raising hopes of rapid transformation across the constituency.

The ambitious developments now move forward under the shadow of an unresolved court battle, with residents waiting to see whether Gangata’s political future will be decided by bulldozers on the ground or judges in the courtroom.

For now, the message from the minister is clear: the projects are coming, the money is available, and the court case should not stop progress.