President Mutharika owes Malawians an apology: Commission of Inquiry in serious credibility doubts

President Peter Mutharika must be the most stressed leader now. George Chaponda must be the most stressed minister. There is tension in the country over ‘maizegate’. Malawians are on APM’s neck to fire Chaponda for being embroiled in ‘maizegate’. Chaponda is under public pressure to resign, honorably, to pave way for investigations. Neither of the two has happened yet.

Indeed, the attack on Malawi Congress Party (MCP) women in Chiradzulu by some overzealous ruling Democrtaic Progressive Party ( DPP) cadets is characteristic of a party in panic mode. The debilitating assault on the media, especially the Times Group, is a resurgence of archaic autocratic tendencies that Malawians said a big NO to them in 1993.

Malawi is now a democracy and the abuse by the DPP government of Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) to stifle the media and any dissenting views is not only uncalled for but also a huge threat to democracy and the rule of law.

This fellah George Chaponda cannot continue to serve as a cabinet minister with corruption allegations hanging on his head. His continued stay as minister against loudest calls to resign is short of common sense. It’s time that he goes away once and for all in order to pave way to investigations. I am not saying he is guilty, he is innocent until proven otherwise. But integrity, which our President touts as one of the pillar of development, would entail he steps aside to pave way for a credible probe.

What is most unsettling is that President Mutharika seems unmoved in all this drama. A President whose approval ratings are worse than all previous presidents should be seen to be making up for that record through decisive actions against corrupt gangsters in the corridors of power.

President Mutharika must be seen to be promoting Malawi as an investment destination by genuinely dealing with corruption and the numerous political, social and economic challenges that the country faces now. The President’s inaction in this scenario defies logic. Yes, the DPP would argue that the president has appointed a Commission of Inquiry to look into the ‘maizegate’ circumstances. But recent actions by some members of that commission put the commission in serious credibility doubts.

Any president worthy their salt cannot appoint people with criminal antecedents in their cabinet. Serving ministers who are allegedly in conflict with the law and involved in offences of moral turpitude and corruption should not be allowed to discharge duties as ministers, period.The Malawi Constitution reposes immense trust in our Head of State and President Mutharika is therefore expected to act with responsibility and with constitutional morality by upholding the constitution.

As a matter of urgency, President Mutharika must begin to manage his relationship with the people of Malawi, which has become strained, resentful, and unproductive. He can’t afford to protect the interests of one individual or a few individuals at the expense of the larger nation.

It is high time President Mutharika also apologized with sincerity and grace for keeping the ‘rotten’ ministers in his cabinet and acknowledges the hurt that this may have caused to the people of Malawi. It isn’t always easy to apologize, but this will be the most effective way to restore trust ahead of future elections.

Human relations literature tells us that an apology opens a dialogue between oneself and the person you have hurt. When you apologize, you also acknowledge that you engaged in unacceptable behavior. This helps you rebuild trust and reestablish your relationship with the other person. It also gives you a chance to discuss what is and isn’t acceptable.

When the president admits that the present unfortunate situation is his fault, he shall restore dignity to Malawians. A sincere apology shows that you are taking responsibility for your actions. It strengthens your self-confidence, self-respect, and reputation. You’re also likely to feel a sense of relief when you come clean about your actions, and it’s one of the best ways to restore your integrity in the eyes of others.

Above all, President Mutharika must submit to accountability and transparency imperatives demanded by all and sundry. He must at all cost allow local accountability institutions to delve into the workings of his government and seek the augmentation of that work through the involvement of foreign expertise. That is what we shall call leadership.

I have trust with my President, Prof APM. He will do the needful.

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.-Barrack Obama

 

 

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thinktank
thinktank
7 years ago

The maize price hike was announced by president on the day he was defending his long stay in USA.They steal , they pass on the price tag to poor malawians by raising maize price 150%..What kind of nonsense is that?…You get a loan to buy maize because of hunger,then you make it unaffordable to the very people in whose name you got the loan for.This is very strange,shameful,and unprecedented as far as corruption is concerned.

khalid
7 years ago

Why don’t we match to parliament, to try to show them our feelings. Sichina a malawi mantha a tipanga koma chomwe tingadziwe nchakuti dzikoli ndi lathu ponda ife iwowa sangakhale anthu otchuka tikwatchukitsa ndife.

Gonapamuhanya
Gonapamuhanya
7 years ago

A opposition 2019 mwanya. Look at KU mayoral polls?

CIVIL SERVANT
CIVIL SERVANT
7 years ago

iripo niiyo impangitsa kuti azimubakira Chaponda

God Save Malawi
God Save Malawi
7 years ago

What I like about we Malawians is that we are very wise and intelligent when it comes to write about political and governance problems facing Malawi Nation. I believe that almost everything that is needed to be said on the maizegate and other governance illshas been said . What is needed is to take other avenues so that this president and his party (DPP) should know that Malawi is nNOT their farm, and we Malawians, are NOT their tenants. We have been cheated for so long, my fellow Malawians. What is needed is a COUNTRY WIDW demonstration. Let Peter, Chaponda,… Read more »

falliot
falliot
7 years ago

respect the president please,,,,chimkhala ulamuliro was a kamuzu, mkadayika mukhola LA ng’ona iwe.

khalid
7 years ago
Reply to  falliot

How much did they pay you for that comment, kuvutika tikuvutikira limodzi tsono mokusapotanji?
A malawi kusamva. The politicians are getting rich and rich everyday by stealing from the poor and orphans. While others still supporting.

George
George
7 years ago

Our African Corrupt Dictators at their best, God Bless them abundantly, Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa….. !!!!!!!

tennis low
tennis low
7 years ago

We have already forgiven the President and the Minister. We have moved on. No issues here. Actually the Admarc CEO must no longer be victimized. We shall meet in heaven.

Hedza
Hedza
7 years ago

Malawian do not listen thats a fact.These recyled politicians anasuluka but still we vote for them, it already hi time we need to work up pliiz, iliteracy is affecting us, lets manage to read the future, lets focus pliz kuzabweleza anthu awa kuzakhala kufuna tokha mavuto. Not all are rotten but caution must be taken. If one is selling her nudity for maize and yet the grains are in stock to the fullest then in 2018-19 there will be the selling of a girl child for a bag of maize believe u me. THINK TWICE MALAWIANS the warm heart of… Read more »

Majolo
Majolo
7 years ago

Lets not waste time to think that the president is clean. He is an accomplice in this deal. To think that Chaponda was alone and that Peter can act is building the castles in the air. Lets wake up guys. Anthuwa ndi amodzi and there there is no aorta of doubt about that. Peter is a dangerous criminal. He knows what is going on. Actually they work together only that he can not go on the ground himself. The best for Malawi is to starting thinking of who should take this government in the next elections and never, never DPP… Read more »

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