{"id":71265,"date":"2025-06-22T11:24:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-22T11:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/malawi\/all-news\/dpp-under-fire-for-hiding-mutharikas-whereabouts-as-he-returns-amid-fears-over-his-health"},"modified":"2025-06-22T11:24:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-22T11:24:00","slug":"dpp-under-fire-for-hiding-mutharikas-whereabouts-as-he-returns-amid-fears-over-his-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/malawi\/all-news\/dpp-under-fire-for-hiding-mutharikas-whereabouts-as-he-returns-amid-fears-over-his-health","title":{"rendered":"DPP Under Fire for Hiding Mutharika\u2019s Whereabouts as He Returns Amid Fears Over His Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Malawi. <\/strong><\/span>The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is under intense criticism for its silence and secrecy surrounding the recent foreign trip of its leader and presidential candidate, former President Arthur Peter Mutharika. His unannounced return to Malawi this week, looking visibly frail, has only intensified speculation about his health and raised fresh concerns about the party\u2019s commitment to transparency.<\/p>\n

Political analysts and governance advocates have not minced their words. Human rights activist Undule Mwakasungula faulted the DPP, saying it acted irresponsibly by withholding information on Mutharika\u2019s whereabouts.<\/p>\n

He said Mutharika is not an ordinary citizen but a former Head of State and a key presidential candidate whose status must be open to public scrutiny. \u201cDPP has been demanding transparency from President Chakwera and his government, yet when it comes to their own leader, they go silent. It\u2019s a case of preaching what they don\u2019t practice,\u201d said Mwakasungula.<\/p>\n

Echoing the same sentiments, political and economic analyst Dr Ben Dzolowere said the DPP\u2019s silence was deeply ironic, considering their constant attacks on the Tonse administration over lack of transparency. He argued that Mutharika, as a beneficiary of public resources, cannot just disappear from the public eye without explanation. \u201cMalawians are anxious to know what is happening with him. The secrecy only fuels rumours, and the DPP should know better,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The timing of Mutharika\u2019s trip, and his quiet return without any public address or official party statement, has raised questions about whether the party is hiding serious health concerns. Social media has been flooded with speculation, with many questioning whether the 85-year-old former president is still fit enough to contest in the high-stakes September 2025 polls. Airport footage showing a visibly weak Mutharika has only added fuel to the fire.<\/p>\n

Observers say the DPP\u2019s silence betrays a deep crisis of credibility. A party seeking to return to power cannot afford to keep the nation in the dark about the health and status of the man they are putting forward as a presidential hopeful. Critics argue that if Mutharika is too ill to campaign or speak for himself, the DPP must come clean and stop dragging the nation into uncertainty.<\/p>\n

This situation is not just about one man\u2019s travel itinerary. It is a litmus test of whether the DPP can be trusted with national leadership again. By refusing to speak openly about Mutharika\u2019s condition, the party is showing the same arrogance and disregard for accountability that contributed to its fall in 2020. As one observer put it bluntly, \u201cIf he\u2019s not fit to lead, just say it. Don\u2019t play hide-and-seek with the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the clock ticking toward election day, Malawians are demanding clarity. The question is no longer just about where Peter Mutharika was, but whether he is even ready\u2014or able\u2014to face the nation.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Malawi<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Malawi. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is under intense criticism for its silence and secrecy surrounding the recent foreign trip of its leader and presidential candidate, former President Arthur Peter Mutharika. His unannounced return to Malawi this week, looking visibly frail, has only intensified speculation about his health and raised fresh concerns about […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":71264,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,7,8,12,410],"tags":[233,371,234],"class_list":["post-71265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-head-lines","category-homepage-english","category-policy","category-to-homepage","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-malawi","tag-malawi"],"yoast_head":"\nDPP Under Fire for Hiding Mutharika\u2019s Whereabouts as He Returns Amid Fears Over His Health - Malawi<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/malawi\/all-news\/dpp-under-fire-for-hiding-mutharikas-whereabouts-as-he-returns-amid-fears-over-his-health\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"DPP Under Fire for Hiding Mutharika\u2019s Whereabouts as He Returns Amid Fears Over His Health\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Africa-Press – Malawi. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is under intense criticism for its silence and secrecy surrounding the recent foreign trip of its leader and presidential candidate, former President Arthur Peter Mutharika. 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