True

Elections 2025

MCP presidential candidate Dr. Lazarus Chakwera indeed mentioned ‘K50,000’ at Hewe Trading Centre on investment accounts promise for newborn babies

FACT-CHECKED by iVerify

August 13, 2025

Footage of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) live broadcast of Hewe Trading Centre rally show that Dr. Chakwera indeed mentioned K50,000 during that rally. MCP spokesperson Dr. Jessie Kabwila also acknowledged that Dr. Chakwera mentioned K50,000, but it was just slip of the tongue as the party and him maintain the K500,000 promise.

Claim

MCP presidential candidate Dr. Lazarus Chakwera changes tune on K500,000 investment accounts promise for newborn babies

Rating Justification

iVerify Malawi verified the content and concluded that it is indeed true that Dr. Lazarus Chakwera mentioned K50,000 and not K500,000 on the promise to introduce investment account for every child. To arrive at this verdict, iVerify Malawi analysed the video of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) live broadcast of the Hewe Trading Centre rally and interviewed the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson Dr. Jessie Kabwila. While the party manifesto mentions K500, 000 and Dr. Chakwera has been mentioning that figure in his other rallies, he mentioned K50,000 at Hewe, in a situation understood to be slip of the tongue. The party promises to introduce investment account of K500,000 for every child born in Malawi. In an interview, Dr. Kabwila acknowledged that indeed Dr. Chakwera mentioned K50,000, in a slip of the tongue situation. Dr. Kabwila said Malawians should be aware that Dr. Chakwera has consistently referred to the K500,000 pledge since the launch of the MCP manifesto and in all other campaign rallies.

Evidence and References

Link to Malawi Broadcasting Corporation live coverage of the rally where Dr. Lazarus Chakwera mentioned K50,000 https://web.facebook.com/share/v/1XwzmrPRm4/

interview with the MCP Publicity Secretary Dr Jessie kabwila

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