The simmering internal conflict within the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) exploded in dramatic fashion on Friday as the party’s Central Region Vice President Alfred Gangata, stormed out of the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe following the announcement of Jane Ansah as the party’s presidential running mate.
The announcement was made by party president Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) during the DPP presidential ticket unveiling ahead of the September general elections.
But before the applause could die down, a visibly furious Gangata rose from his seat mid-ceremony, skipped protocol, and briskly walked up the aisle as if heading for the restroom, only to exit the hall entirely.
Eyewitnesses told The Pangolin reporter present at the ceremony that Gangata made his way to the carpark where he was seen hitting his car tyres repeatedly and burying his head in his hands, visibly overwhelmed with anger and disappointment.
He was later overheard lamenting to his driver and bodyguards, saying in Chichewa: “Anthu awa ndi osayamika” (These people are ungrateful.)
Gangata did not return to the ceremony.
This outburst comes as the latest chapter in an increasingly bitter internal feud between Gangata and the party’s powerful inner circle, referred to by insiders as the Ntcheu Cabal, which includes Norman Chisale (also known by the alias Pythius Hiwa), former First Lady Gertrude Mutharika, former Police IG Peter Mukhito, and party spokesperson Shadreck Namalomba.
According to internal sources, the group had earlier floated Gangata as the de facto successor to APM, should the 84-year-old former president become incapacitated.
Gangata’s vast financial contributions and organizational efforts, especially in the central region, had made him a central figure in the party’s campaign machine.
However, relations soured after months of internal sabotage, accusations of financial misconduct, and fraudulent political theatre, culminating in today’s dramatic fallout.
Both Gangata and Chisale are currently out on bail for allegedly forging academic qualifications—Gangata for an MSCE certificate and Chisale for a Junior Certificate of Education (JCE).
These cases are pending in court and have severely damaged the public image of the party’s leadership.
Despite these legal troubles, both men have retained their influential roles within the party hierarchy sparking criticism from civil society groups and rival politicians who accuse the DPP of embracing lawlessness and patronage over ethics and transparency.
Sources close to the matter point to a rally in Dowa last month as the tipping point.
Gangata had allocated MK20 million for a rally that was supposed to parade defectors from the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to the DPP.
However, the event was reportedly sabotaged by Chisale, who allegedly orchestrated a staged defection using DPP loyalists dressed in MCP regalia. The ruse was uncovered by Gangata, who allegedly reclaimed the funds and began distancing himself from the Ntcheu Cabal.
From that moment, relations between the two powerbrokers soured publicly. In a later meeting with central region DPP executives, Gangata openly accused Chisale, Mukhito, Namalomba, and even Gertrude Mutharika of being “manipulators and thieves” and claimed the DPP had no chance in the central region without his support.
Meanwhile, DPP leader APM remained silent and secluded at his Nyambadwe residence in Blantyre, reportedly under strict medical watch and rarely venturing into public, until when, heavily sedated according to insiders, he managed to travel to Lilongwe.
His prolonged absence triggered doubts about his health and ability to campaign, let alone govern if re-elected.
Gangata had reportedly offered to fund APM’s campaign under the condition that he pick a “competent and untainted” running mate, conditions evidently disregarded with the naming of Jane Ansah.
Ansah herself is a divisive figure, having previously served as MEC Chairperson during the controversial 2019 elections that were annulled by the Constitutional Court due to widespread irregularities.
Her appointment as running mate is being viewed by critics as tone-deaf and risky, especially among urban voters and young people disillusioned by past electoral injustices.
Investigations into Gangata and Chisale’s financial operations reveal a deeper rot.
Gangata reportedly runs black-market forex and high-interest loan schemes under the guise of “community empowerment,” allegedly collecting illegal commissions and using threats to recover debts. His security company is said to double as a DPP militia that mobilizes during rallies.
Meanwhile, Chisale, who rose from presidential bodyguard to billionaire mogul within a short time, is under investigation for suspected money laundering. He has amassed real estate, luxury vehicles, and substantial influence within the party, allegedly controlling candidate vetting and regional appointments.
With today’s events, the DPP risks further alienating the electorate. Already polling poorly in the central region, with support dipping below 15%, the infighting, legal troubles, and perceived power struggles are painting a picture of a party in freefall.
“What Malawians witnessed today is a party imploding from the inside. Instead of uniting around a credible vision for governance, the DPP is now eating itself alive, and Gangata’s walkout is only the beginning,” said one political analyst who declined to be named.
The DPP enters the final leg of its campaign with a fractured leadership, damaged credibility, and deepening internal wounds. With less than 60 days to the national vote, many now question whether the party can recover from the chaos, if it tries to.
