Lately, the music industry in Malawi has witnessed increasing number of politicians who feature as guests of honour at concerts including during the launch of music albums. Some, in the name of supporting artists while others in the name of impressing fans - spend huge amounts of money to buy the just-launched albums.

Some politicians just make pledges that unfortunately remain nothing but empty pledges. If her story is to be believed Lilongwe-based female gospel musician Miriam Kuseni,is among the artists to be fooled by a politician.

Former Sports Minister Symon Vuwa Kaunda reportedly made a public pledge during Kuseni's CD launch in Lilongwe on April 1, but he has changed tune when approached to fulfil his pledge.

Kaunda's change of tune has prompted Kuseni to give up pushing for the fulfilment of the remaining K150,000 cash which the former minister was supposed to pay after giving her K100,000 only on the K250,000 pledge he made on behalf of Professor Peter Mutharika.

The guest of honour during the gospel concert was supposed to be the Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) acting president Peter Mutharika.

He never made it to the concert but sent his Personal Assistant Ben Phiri to present a cash donation to Kuseni on his behalf.

In a dramatic turn of events, Vuwa who was also present at the concert took to the stage and told the audience in jam-packed Sheaffer Marquee in Lilongwe that Mutharika had donated quarter a million kwacha (K250, 000) to Kuseni.

He immediately attracted a thunderous round of applause, but within minutes he is alleged to have started spoiling the concert by turning the stage into a political podium.

To the patrons' disbelief and the annoyance of many he started drumming up support for his political support prompting people to boo him.

He gave Kuseni K100, 000 cash, requesting her to call him the following day to collect the remaining K150, 000. But sources close to the family of the gospel musician told The Weekend Times that when Kuseni called, Vuwa refused to pay the remaining K150, 000.

He said "he was not happy because he was booed during the album launch".

When Kuseni called him again, Vuwa reportedly shouted at her saying "Kodi simukudziwa kuti boma lidasintha? Ndalama ndidagawila ma artist anzanu aja basi."

The source said Kuseni's efforts to talk to Mutharika himself also proved futile. Kuseni in an interview confirmed that she only received K100, 000 from Vuwa on the day of her show but refused to divulge more information.

"I cannot comment much on that issue because I left everything in the hands of God who always fight for my battles," said Kuseni.

Commenting on the issue, Vuwa said he was not aware of the "quarter million Kwacha" pledge.

"What I know is that I gave her K100, 000 cash from Peter Mutharika.

I also gave other artists K50,000. But I am not aware of the K250, 000, may be that's what she wanted from the DDP leader. But on our part we supported her the way we planned it," said Vuwa.

Asked about the payment to other artists during her launch, Kuseni indicated that she paid them herself, wondering which artists Vuwa paid.