Chakwera says Chaponda dismissal ‘too late’, silences his critics by rebuking Malawi govt

Leader of the opposition and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president told parliament on Wednesday that the sacking of  George Chaponda in cabinet for his role in the maizegate  scam and the subsquent discovery of stashes of money in his house came rather too late when government property has been destroyed.

Chakwera said President Peter Mutharika should have relieved Chaponda of his ministerial duties long time ago.

“We welcome the President’s stand to dismiss Honourable Chaponda but it is with great concern that the action is coming after government has lost assets at Capital Hill,” said Chakwera.

The MCP president was referring ti the fire which gutted Chaponda’s offices at the Ministry of Agriculture headquarters in Lilongwe which many believe  it was work of arsonists.

Chakwera made the comments after Speaker of Parliament, Richard Msowoya made an announcement in the House about the dismissal of Chaponda.

He condemned Executive arrogance and impunity on the way Chaponda matter has been handled.

“Malawi is for all of us and not a priviledged population, therefore, it is my plea that these issues be given priority before our country goes up into an economic and permanent ruins,” said Chakwera.

“We expect the ACB, the police and the Financial Intelligence Authority to work swiftly and all those officials related to the [matter] recuse themselves,” he added.

Chakwera remarks comes after he  came under intense fire to come out of his cacoon and condemn Chaponda’s suitcase cash stash.

Writing on his Facebook, a renowned writer and political commentator Onjezani Kenani says if Chakwera finds his role as Leader of Opposition too heavy, he should step down.

“He let’s critical moments like these pass without saying a word. By the time he will speak, several critical issues shall have receded into the rear view mirror of tim,” he writes.

Many Malawians, expressing the views on the matter in the social media, wondered why Chakwera has been silent and timid to condemn issues bound on corruption. However, his party, the Malawi Congress Party has been very vocal in parliament.

On Tuesday, the MCP parliamentarians literally stopped Chaponda from answering questions from back benchers.

President Peter Mutharika fired him on Wednesday after ACB investigators confiscated K124 million, $57 500, 2 720 Indian rupee, 518 Ethiopian birr, 610 Pula, 1 200 meticais, 1 250 Kenya shillings, 80 Hong Kong dollars, 1 010 Japanese yen, 22 370 South African rands, 55 euros, 29 Zambian kwacha and 100 Namibian dollar.

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