Malawi political party funding regulator proposed

Malawi should establish a political party funding regulatory body which should look at the main sources of funding for political parties and the rules applying to their use, Patrick Zeus Phambala, a Lilongwe-based political and social commentator, has proposed.

Party financiers: Before Peter Mutharika  government, HTD danced in glory with the Joyce Banda's PP government as good "well-wishers" as seen in this file photo
Party financiers: Before Peter Mutharika government, HTD danced in glory with the Joyce Banda’s PP government as good “well-wishers” as seen in this file photo

Malawi parties are mainly financed by “well-wishers” who happen to enjoy government business – mostly dubiously – or those that seek opportunity to do business with the State.

In the worse corruption scandal called cashgate, the courts in the country have heard that the scheme was raising money for the then ruling People’s Party.

There have also been cases record of wrongful-fundraising for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and United Democratic Front (UDF).

The money raised have been channelled to party leaders who controls and uses the same to wield power.

However, Phambala said the regulator would widen public interest in the running and overall ownership of parties.

According to Phambala, unregulated party funding is a major contributor to individual ownership of parties and is responsible for the “demigods” in political parties.

“ In Europe, no party founders have a right to claim ownership or exercise monopoly in positions of the policy-making process.

“ In most European countries, parties are mandated to observe their funding principles and orientations, are not allowed to accept anonymous donations, let alone donations exceeding a certain amount per year,” stated Phambala as quoted in the press.

He then observes that parties formed on ethnicities fall victim to the founder syndrome.

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Njuli
Njuli
8 years ago

That’s the way to go, mwina cashgate nkuiwalako abale, by the way why do politicians owz drag feet when it comes to them being accountable? tichedwepo pamenepa.

Willie Chimseu
Willie Chimseu
8 years ago

Mr Phambala tell us the criteria to be used or all the 50 to be funded?

chikwawa
chikwawa
8 years ago

Mukazamaliza kusolola muzanena.koma mulungu Ali nanu ntchito

kamowa John
kamowa John
8 years ago

You really have a point. I support you 100%. Pajatu kusolola eee nkosanena.

Patriot weniweni
Patriot weniweni
8 years ago

Phambala wayankhula Fundo apa.Otherwise ma cashgate sazatha pa Malawi to fund some useless parties with no agenda to develop Malawi.

Wachaghaya
Wachaghaya
8 years ago

It is high time now we needed to change our mindset and love our country.let law take its course

Lizulu
Lizulu
8 years ago

That’s the way to go, but who in African politics can champion that? 99.9% join politics to steal ,kill and destroy. Politics is the way of getting rich quick. Its cashgate competition. Trust me if any other party was to be in power tomorrow, HDT will go there to dance too. We have political party prostitutes because of corruption.

Keen Observer
8 years ago

I believe that Phambala has got a point

commentator
commentator
8 years ago

There are too many bodies that end up as holes that drain public coffers. First thing to do is to outlaw campaign related gifts and one man projects during campaign season

Hagar the Horrible
8 years ago

This is true, we needed this as soon as yesterday. The problem is that the very lawmakers will drag their feet to have the enabling legislation in place. See how all opposition politicians complain about the ruling party abusing the public broadcaster but none of them has the balls to propose the necesary legislation that will stop this abuse.

We need a mechanism of holding our politicians accountable for their misdeeds. In Malawi, parliamentarians do not truly represent the citizens. This must change.

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