Criticism of Malawian governance and economic management

Malawian leadership and political figures have issued significant criticisms regarding the country’s governance, economic management, and public services.

Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, President of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops, reported a collapse of the national system, citing extreme delays in passport and visa processing. He condemned corruption that leaves hospitals without medicine and highlighted daily hardships such as electricity blackouts, water shortages, and the rising cost of living.

Following these critiques, UTM Party leader Dalitso Kabambe criticized the government’s austerity measures, arguing that officials fail to adhere to their own fiscal discipline plans. Kabambe characterized corrupt officials as “parasites” and accused the administration of weaponizing the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the Police, and the Financial Intelligence Unit against political opponents. He further noted that failed monetary policies have caused severe foreign exchange shortages and a significant disparity between official and black-market exchange rates.