Malawi Parliament faces absenteeism scandal and DPP seating reshuffle

Speaker of the National Assembly, Sameer Suleman, warned that MPs continue to receive sitting allowances despite frequent absences from committee and plenary sessions. Civil society and voters have criticised the lack of consequences, saying the practice undermines legislative oversight and public trust. Calls have been made to link allowances to verified attendance and to publish real‑time attendance records.

In a separate incident, the Democratic Progressive Party’s veteran foreign‑affairs minister George Chaponda was moved from the front‑bench seat to a lower position, making way for Agriculture Minister Roza Mbilizi. The reshuffle, noticed by an opposition MP and mocked in the chamber, is being interpreted as a power struggle within the ruling party ahead of the 2030 elections.