Former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Samuel Tembenu has blamed the infighting in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as the main contributing factor in its poor run in the October 26 2021 by-elections.

MEC on Tuesday held by-elections in three constituencies and one ward in Balaka and DPP only retained Chimwalire Ward in Balaka South Constituency.

The two seats went to Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the other seat went to Alliance for Democracy (AFORD).

Writing on his official Facebook page Tembenu openly trashed the infighting in the party.

“A Party in crisis like ours is burying it’s head in the sand and hoping, foolishly I suppose, that its problems will go away or disappear just like that. *Confront the problems and resolve them.* Name calling and bad mouthing each other just compounds the problem.
“The whole idea of participating in bye-elections when we are in such disarray seems laughable at best,” wrote Tembenu.

He added: “Inu, mwana wodwala kwashiokor or marasmus needs to be nourished first before being sent out to school or allowed to play with his or her peers. Otherwise amabweretsa chitonzo kwa makolo. Stop worrying about the loss. Ine I am not surprised that we have suffered a thumping.

“Paja ena mmathamangira kukanena kuti Tembenu amati chakuti….eya pitani….mukanene. Otherwise, engage me directly.

“Uthenga wanga ndi uwu, *there is a serious crisis that needs to be resolved.* It’s a fallacy for a divided Party to win an election.

“We have spoken about these things in private but nothing seems to work. We need decisive and resolute leadership now. As things are now, I agree, we are moving like a radarless aeroplane. These things have to be said openly and without fear.”

Effort to talk to DPP spokesperson Shadreck Namalomba proved futile.