Renowned activist Fredrick Billy Malata has dismissed claims that he is behind the proposed age limit bill and that he received K50 million for the initiative.
Speaking to Truth Malawi, Malata suggested that some Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials were spreading the rumors. He refuted allegations that he had received financial benefits, stating that he is currently struggling to pay his bills, despite claims that he is benefiting from Malawi Congress Party (MCP) funds.
Malata also denied receiving a car and a house from MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda. “You can visit my home and see for yourself. Hon. Chimwendo Banda has never bought me a car or a house,” he said.
He accused some DPP officials of using his name to manipulate discussions around the age limit bill, arguing that their real intention is to block Peter Mutharika from contesting in the 2025 elections. He urged DPP to organize a mini-conference to select Mutharika’s successor instead of misleading Malawians.
“Kamuzu Banda passed the leadership to Dr. Bakili Muluzi because of age. This should be a lesson to DPP,” Malata said, adding that the party is now struggling with an exit strategy after backing Mutharika in its last convention.
He emphasized that activists, including himself, Agape Khombe, and Redson Munlo, as well as MCP, should not be blamed for the age limit bill. He argued that DPP itself introduced the issue by barring younger leaders like Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, Hon. Bright Msaka, and Hon. Kondwani Nankhumwa while endorsing Mutharika as its 2025 candidate.
There are reports that some MCP lawmakers may push for the age limit bill in the upcoming parliamentary session, set to begin on February 14, 2025, during the budget meeting.
