Chibingu, Gowelo speak out after being fired as Malawi ministers

Two members of parliament who have been booted out of cabinet in a reshuffle by President Peter Mutharika on Monday for unexplained reasons , have told Nyasa Times they have gracefully accepted their purge and pledged to remain loyal to the ruling Democratic People’s Party (DPP).

Chibingu told Nyasa Times on Monday evening in an interview that he never expected to be dropped as Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, saying the cabinet axe has come as a suprise to him.

“Let me admit that I did not expect this,” said Chibingu sounding in very low spirits.

Chibingu, however, said he accepts his fate and believe “it is for the development of the country.”

He said: “I did my part as a cabinet minister and now it is time for someone else to take over.”

Chibigu said: “Malawians will remember me especially when I was Minister of Home affairs and internal security where I worked had to decentralize printing of passports.”

He pledged to continue supporting DPP, saying: “The President exercised his right and I respect that.”

Tarcisio Gowelo relieved of his duties as Minister of Local Government and Rural Development told Nyasa Times he was not bitter about his removal.

“I have humbly accepted President Peter Mutharika’s decision to drop me from the cabinet. I am not bitter, in fact very thankful that he gave me the opportunity to serve as cabinet minister,” said Gowelo who learnt about his sacking after performing the installation of Traditional Authority (T/A) Tengani in Nsanje.

“It is the prerogative of the President to hire and drop cabinet ministers and he has just exercised powers conferred upon him to drop me from the cabinet. It pleased him to drop me, so why should I be bitter? It’s time for those that have been picked to serve him and the entire nation and I will largely support them.

“ I will also continue to work as a public servant through the parliamentary seat that I was entrusted with,” said Gowelo.

He also said he will remain loyal to ruling DPP leadership, observing that government affairs are different from that of the party.

“I will always respect the system and structure of the party as we look forward to fulfilling and implementing development projects we promised the people during the campaign trail,” he said.

“I did my best and will continue to work for the party,” he added.

In the reshuffle Mutharika made on Monday, Gowelo was sacked as minister of Local Government and has been replaced by Kondwani Nankhumwa who was at the ministry of Information, Tourism and Culture.

While Chibingu has been replaced by Atupele Muluzi at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. Muluzi has been moved from the  Ministry of Home Affairs.

From the Ministry of health, Dr Jean Kalilani has been moved to Home Affairs and Internal Security Ministry while Jappie Mhango has replaced Nankhumwa at Information.

Malison Ndau has replaced Mhango at the Ministry of defence, while Dr. Peter Kumpalume has replaced Dr Kalilani at the Ministry of Health.—Additional reporting by Alfred Chauwa, Nyasa Times