Chakwera raps Mutharika again: ‘More squeezed families in Malawi under failed leadership’

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president and leader of opposition in parliament, Lazarous Chakwera has  used his New Year message to talk about the cost of living crisis facing Malawi and that Peter Mutharika led administration is a bad government that is letting down the good people of this country.

He said 2016 has been a tumult and a torture for Malawians.

“ I know that despite your patience with President Mutharika and his Government, and despite your cries for change, not only are things no better than they were in the dark days of 2015, but they are now decidedly worse as the curtain closes on 2016. A quick glance at 2016 is all it takes to see the damage our hopes have suffered throughout the year,” said Chakwera at a news conference held on Friday.

Chakwera was due to address a news conference at his official office at Parliament Building but was blocked by state security and he had to speak to reporters at his residence.

The leader of the opposition  said he is saddened that the hope-destroying hardships that Malawians are suffering today will continue for some time because the causes thereof are rooted in the country’s  complex history.

“Our nation is in crisis because the mistakes that different ruling parties made while in power have largely remained uncorrected, and there is no leader in Government today with the gravitas or will to correct them,” said the MCP leader.

He said with the economic turmoil, its time to say “enough is enough”.

Said Chakwera: “The time for being afraid is over. It is time for the people in power to be afraid of the power in people.”

He said Malawi  needed profound change and MCP must  renew and reinvent its mission and rise to the challenge  in the year ahead.

“So on this last day of 2016, this day that signals the end of the old and the dawn of the new, I want to appeal to all of you Malawians to keep your hope alive. You have been given a rich heritage as a nation, and the Malawi Congress Party under my leadership together with other opposition parties are determined to work tirelessly in 2017 to see that heritage bear fruit for your prosperity and peace,” said Chakwera.

The leader of of the opposition said he is dedicated with his party  in a “renewed resolve” to raise his voice on  behalf of Malawians and stand up for them “until my legs collapse beneath me.”

Chakwera has commioted to use 2017 to lead MCP and other opposition parties in the following legislative and governance agendas which will help all Malawians.

He said the electoral reforms will be advanced   in Parliament so that a new legislation is encated  for better regulation of national elections

Chakwera said he will also lead to press government until President Mutharika signs the new Access to Information bill according to the wishes of Malawians .

He also promised to be pushing for new legislation to give the Anti-Corruption Bureau independence and power to investigate and swiftly conclude all previous and emerging cases of corruption and Cashgate.

Chakwera said he will also be demanding justice for  the  law-enforcement agencies to conclude the murder case of IsaaNjaunju, a high-ranking officer at the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

MCP president said he will ensure checks and blances for DPP-led government that is letting down the good people of this country.