Mutharika’s now a joker: Kaliati hits at critics of ‘eat mice’ remarks

Information, Communication Technology and Civic Education Minister who is also government spokesperson Patricia Kaliati has hit back at some Malawians faulting President Peter Mutharika in what she calls ‘innocent things’ including jokes.

Kaliati said the remarks made by President  Mutharika at a recent development rally in Mulanje that people should eat ‘mice’ as part of their food supplement was just a joke

In a statement made available to Nyasa Times,  Kaliati said the criticism directed at the President Mutharika referring to his remarks are thoughtless.

“The criticism directed at innocent jokes that the President cracked at a recent development rally in Mulanje that people should eat Mice as part of their food supplement is thoughtless and unwarranted. It speaks of fault-finding of the extreme nature” said Kaliati in a statement.

Kaliati said the Mutharika-led government  is doing everything to safeguard his people from consequences of natural disasters that have resulted to food shortage.

She said among other things, in the 2016-17 Malawi National Budget, the government has allocated enough funds to enable it import of enough food.

Kaliati  also said the government has been lobbying the international community and well wishers to come forward with assistance.

“The President has a right to joke when he is interacting with his people. He does not have to fear to explore his sense of humour simply because fault-finders lie in wait to denounce anything that he says.

“Government wishes to take this opportunity to assure the people of Malawi once again that everything is being done to address the food shortages that not only this country is experiencing,” Kaliati said.

Kaliati said claiming Mutharika has abdicated his people through the mice remarks is ‘sinking our politics to new levels of pettiness’.

“The President like all Malawians know that ‘Mice’ are eaten in some parts of our country even in times of plenty as a delecacy and to diversify on their traditional foods,” Kaliti added.

The ‘let Malawias eat mice’ remarks by Mutharika has however been received with mixed reactions from most Malawians through the social media.

Some say they are offensive to people like members of the Seventh Day Church and Muslims who do not eat mice.

This is not the first time for Mutharika to crack a joke angering Malawians as he was some months ago heavily criticised for saying ‘Nilibe Pulobulemu’ (I dont have a Problem) at a public rally while millions of Malawians are starving.

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