The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has drafted a proposal to amend the Constitution and give President Peter Mutharika powers to appoint and fire Vice-President Jane Ansah, the publication has established.
Sources within the party say the proposed changes are aimed at reducing the powers of the Vice-President, who under the current Constitution is elected alongside the President and can automatically succeed him if the presidency becomes vacant.
The proposal comes amid a reported strained relationship between Mutharika and Ansah, with questions emerging over the Vice-President’s role in government.
A draft Constitutional Amendment Bill dated September 14, 2026, addressed to Speaker of the National Assembly Sameer Suleiman, proposes replacing the current system with one in which the President appoints a Vice-President after assuming office.
The document, submitted by Boldwin Bickiel Dzuwalatsoka, who describes himself as a concerned citizen from Mphande Constituency in Lilongwe, says the Vice-President should serve at the pleasure of the President and may be removed at any time without reasons or impeachment proceedings.
It further proposes making the office ceremonial, with the Vice-President exercising only powers delegated by the President.
The proposed changes contrast with the current Constitution, which requires presidential candidates to name their First Vice-President before an election, with both elected on the same ballot paper.
The bill also seeks to change presidential succession.
Under the proposal, the Vice-President would leave office if the President dies or becomes permanently incapacitated, while the Speaker of the National Assembly would take over as interim President.
A presidential election would then be held within 90 days of the burial of the deceased President.
The proposal comes after Justice Minister Charles Mhango dismissed reports that government was planning to change how the Vice-President is elected.
Responding to a WhatsApp query from Mibawa Television, Mhango said: “This is not true.”
However, the draft document outlines changes that would fundamentally alter the Vice-President’s position in government.
It remains unclear whether the Speaker has formally received it.
The strained relationship between Mutharika and Ansah has also attracted attention, with media reports pointing to disagreements over the Vice-President’s responsibilities and her participation in Cabinet meetings.
The bill argues that the current system creates tension because the Vice-President is also the automatic successor to the President.
Its author says this arrangement encourages political rivalry at the expense of development.
The document proposes two options for implementing the changes: immediately after parliamentary approval and presidential assent, or after the next general election.
It also proposes that former Vice-Presidents retain financial, security, transport and accommodation benefits after leaving office.
The draft asks the Speaker to refer it to the relevant parliamentary committee and facilitate its presentation before the National Assembly.
Meanwhile President Mutharika has once again left for South Africa on what the Office of the President and Cabinet calls “Private” trips.
Several stakeholders have made claims that Mutharika is not well heath-wise hence his frequent trips to South Africanl from medical check-ups ..the OPC has repeatedly denied these allegations while failing to explain why President Mutharika is frequentky visiting South Africa, often at short notice.
During his latest trip to South Africa, Mutharika left abruptly; the OPC issued notice of his departure after he had left.
At the time we went to Press, President Mutharika had not returned from the latest of private trips to South Africa and there were no indications as to when he is returning.
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