Mathews Mtumbuka has drawn a hard line against political violence, issuing a blunt three-word warning, “NO to death,” amid alleged threats targeting UTM leaders.
The UTM senior member was reacting to a video circulating on social media in which Deputy Minister of Homeland Security Norman Chisale is heard saying he will “whip” or “deal with” UTM leaders if they continue making statements opposing the government.
Rather than limiting his response to the alleged remarks, Mtumbuka used the controversy to speak about what he sees as a dangerous direction for Malawi’s politics.
“Muyamba kutitani a UTM? This is not 1980s – it’s 2026. NO to politics of Destruction, Damage, Death! YES to Debate & Development!” Mtumbuka wrote on Facebook.
For Mtumbuka, the words “Destruction, Damage, Death” represent more than political rhetoric. They are a warning about what can happen when disagreements between political actors move from debate to intimidation.
His message comes from someone who has been at the centre of Malawi’s electoral politics, having served as UTM’s running mate in the 2025 elections.
Mtumbuka says threatening statements have the potential to fuel political tensions, calling instead for political differences to be settled through debate and a focus on development.
His reference to the 1980s is particularly striking. By saying “this is not 1980s, it’s 2026,” Mtumbuka is effectively asking whether Malawi, decades into its democratic journey, should still tolerate politics built around fear and intimidation.
