The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and contractor Bonongwe Construction are facing intense scrutiny after the newly built Joyce Chitsulo Stadium in Mwanza developed serious structural defects just months after its commissioning.
The 10,000-seater facility, launched in September 2025 by former President Lazarus Chakwera, is already showing visible cracks and damaged sections, raising serious safety concerns among users and the general public.
An on-site inspection revealed clear signs of substandard workmanship, with parts of the structure deteriorating despite the significant amount of public funds invested in the project. Reports indicate that defects began appearing within just two months of handover, with the defect rate estimated at around 60 percent.
This situation calls for an urgent and independent technical assessment, as well as full accountability. The contractor should face legal consequences, including possible arrest and blacklisting, if found responsible for negligence or malpractice. Those in positions of authority must also be held accountable—public resources cannot continue to be misused without consequence.
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