So far his Agriculture Minister Kondwani Nankhumwa Local Government Minister Ben Phiri Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha and Justice Minister Bright Msaka have all been accused of smearing each other in order to improve their chances of succeeding him...
Nakhumwa saw off other heavyweights at the party convention including George Chaponda who was sacked from the cabinet after the infamous 'maizegate' scandal Minister of Agriculture Joseph Mwanamvekha and Minister of Information Henry Mussa (AC Vol 58 No 20 Mutharika's uncertain future)...
One is led by the First Lady Gertrude Mutharika and others are grouped around each of the following: Vice-President Saulos (Soulosi) Chilima Chaponda Industry and Trade Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha Mussa and Ben Phiri the party strongman and Mutharika's confidant...
Other prominent Lhomwes include Principal Secretaries of major government departments (Joseph Mwanamvekha is the latest on the scene: Chairman of Mulhako wa Alhomwe and since October Chief Secretary to the Treasury) the Chief Justice (Lovemore Munlo) and the Attorney General (Jane Ansah)...