Chilima defends association with Catholic Church, says he is not corrupt: Malawi VP dominates headlines
Vice-President Saulos Chilima on Wednesdsy evening broke his silence by announcing that he will challenge President Peter Mutharika in presidential race in the 2019 Tripartite Elections and his exclusive interview with privately -owned Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) has dominated headlines in Malawi’s media.
In the 45-minute interview anchored by Zodiak managing director Gospel Kazako, Chilima addressed wide-ranging issues including what critics have been saying that he is using the influential Catholic Church as a platform for advancing his political agenda.
Chilima, 45, a devout Catholic, defended his association with the Church , saying the Catholic Church encourages its faithfuls to participate in politics but it cannot take a partisan stand to support a particular candidate.
During the interview, Kazako asked Chilima —who remains Vice-President until the end of his term next May— if he was clean from corruption as ‘those who seek equity must come with clean hands’ considering he has described the country as riddled with corruption, nepotism and cronyism.
In his response, Chilima said he has not been involved in corruption but said there have been attempts to smear his name.
“I am very sure. There are two things; one is truth and one is evidence. I am very sure that I have not been involved in corruption,” he said.
He continued: “I know there have been references to an issue. May be this I should not be divulging here. I sold a house to somebody [Maxwell Namata] through an estate agency, but eventually turned out the buyer was a suspect of Cashgate. But I have never been engaged in corruption [without any fear of contradiction].”
Despite echoing his concerns about rampant corruption, Chilima took some time to recognise the positive side of Peter Mutharika’s government on several development initiatives such as malata and cement subsidy, community technical colleges as well as the reforms.
Chilima said there was need for Malawians to acknowledge government’s success in initiating the malata and cement subsidy which has brought decent housing for poor Malawians, adding the coming in of community colleges offers skills to young people.
“On reforms I would say we have not moved with pace. We have not performed as expected,” said Chilima.
Meanwhile, he has given Malawians 10 days when he will announce his political move while hinting on forming a coalition with some of the country’s opposition political parties through what he christened Transformation Movement.
Livingstonia Synod-based political scientist George Phiri said Chilima had exercised his right to make a decision.
On whether time was on Chilima’s side, Phiri said the Vice-President might be a person who makes his decisions strategically.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
The argument that CHILIMA participated in cashgate by selling his house to a cashgater is quite interesting. TELL, when people walk into SHOPRITE OR CHIPIKU OR METRO DISCLOSE THEIR SOURCES OF FUNDS BEFORE THEY PURCHASE THEIR GOODS.? How could Chilima have known that the purchaser of his house through an estate agency was a cashgater? Guys let us start talking sense in much as there is much merit in demonizing cashgaters.
Chilima commending president Mutharika, then talking about how he benefited from cashgate money by selling his house to a cashgater. In other words, Chilima has cashgate money in his account. No way a sane person can believe his loud-mouthed rants about corruption.
Wina akuti Chakwera wazunguliridwa ndi anthu a dyera like Mia, koma Chilima ali clean, how clean is Chilima, munthu anaba mavoti kuti agogo aja awine chifukwa chofuna udindo komanso wazunguliridwa nayenso ndi anthu osalongosoka, akuba more than Mia I know who use his own sweat to help the poor. Tandiwuze how clean is Kaliati, Kalindo, Masangwi, Callista Muthalika? Ife anthu aku mudzi simungatipake phula mmaso tazindikila chifukwa cha mchitidwe wanu wakuba. Chilima may have few votes in town but he can’t beat Chakwera who is everywhere and you must know he will be our next President. Do your research properly.
The young man is very intelligent but not wise do you this Atupele can go for vice and you be head of state kodi athu wopenga mwapanga chani
But the man has much more ground outside the church for his political speeches than during MISSA. Why did the Dedza priest use the church to campaign for him? Such priests will soon make the very catholic faithfuls to insult their own church especially those who differ with Chilima politically. Remember that in 1994 those who voted for MCP included catholics despite the sour relationship which was there.
Really? Catholic Bishops released the pastoral letter entitled “Living Our Faith” in March 1993 that, among other issues, chronicled human rights abuses during the one party state. Then the same catholic faithfuls voted for MCP? No, Mr. Santana. The true is that people were encouraged to vote for Muluzi despite knowing that the administration under him would plunder the country’s economy. Here now is the country seething with all sorts of problems with corruption topping the list.
This time only Santana has made a point! I know zinazija umapangira dala because yu love DPP too much.
Santana, welcome back after a long break
Chilima is very smart and must have been a great chase player. He must have recognised that his time is up in DPP hence his move to resign from the party from May 2019. If indeed he was concerned about rampant corruption and lack of transformative leadership within the part then he should have been in forefront to change things inside. For heavens sake, he was the VP. The fact that he failed firstly to deal with and to report crime to law enforcement agencies in the 4 years he was VP coupled with the fact he was unable to persuade his peers and those he was leading, to review policies and capacitate government to ruthlessly implement what I would call great policies; is an indictment on the kind of leader of he is. I don’t think we have the right leader in Chilima to transform the country. Malawi is in serious doldrums and requires a serious and seasoned leader to turn things around. Malawi has lost a lot of ground from the days of Muluzi (there was some hope during the Bingu’s first term though with some gleamer of hope until his 2nd term). However, it seems to me Chilima might be better than Peter and good enough for stopping the rot currently deepening in the country. Transformation might require another leader with complimentary leadership qualities to Chilima. Unless Chilima becomes much more ruthless and decisive in the way he conducts himself and is able to resonate with people at grassroots level. He also must have the ability to package his messages well so that ordinary people can understand him clearly. he is too much of a corporate strategy man. Politics is ruthless in nature and does not accept limping children. This is cut throat business. probably thats why Gondwe was making reference to :children” as a metaphor for “weakness”. Malawians have only this chance to change its fortune and can’t afford to make another mistake leading to 2024 elections. The world is changing and is changing fast into a digital and 4th industrial realm. Malawi is already a few steps behind and we need to catch up otherwise Malawi will disappear from the world map and with its citizens.
Three issues you have missed. First, It is difficult to say against your leaders or party from within. It only happens in the ANC in South Africa. Chilima was mentioning indirectly against the rot in DPP though indirectly. The fact that he resigned from the DPP is sign enough that he does not want to be part of the rot. Secondly, he is the right person for the job. He has shown that he can move things. You remember how he has criticised assemblies and contractors for the shoddy work and lack of seriousness.
A leader has to be a man of action not just talking and doing nothing like Peter Mutharika. Civil service reform was moving in the positive direction because of him. But because he was delivering and was receiving a lot of praise for his good work people and Mutharika were jealous of him because of him. His successor Seodi White has conceded that there is a lot of resistance to change among civil servants. This means things are not working. Who do you can make a good leader among the current crop of leaders. We have not seen Dr Chakwera’s political leadership. Besides, Chakwera is surrounded by poor leaders the likes of Sidi Mia who want just to eat.
Thirdly, it is not true that politics is ruthless in its nature unless you qualify what you are talking about? Malawi needs a straight forward leaders who can make right decisions for the good of his people. Chilima is not a child. I know presidents younger than him who did great work for their countries. He can be one of them. It is just that Malawians are used to old leaders.
I agree with you chilonga but if he has to be taken seriously he must be a bot more vocal and precise in his messaging. Ordinary people and those in the rural villages should understand his plans (talk their language) and how the plans will benefit them at their level. Again, if a leader is unable to fight for what they believe in even within their own party, then you can’t be a true leader. A leader is never afraid to be fired for speaking out……if you are then you don’t qualify to run a country.; full stop! Of course Chilima is going to be a better leader than the past leaders we have had; but he needs to toughen up a bit. He is still too much of a nice guy. Our leader should be able to stand up to other African and/or global leaders and present a good case for the country whilst at it. Our president need to be prepared to make tough decisions even if they’re unpopular amongst his part members (in as long as its for the benefit of the people and not themselves as politicians). Our president has to be persuasive with impeccable cognitive and problem-solving skills. We don’t need professors who can’t even string a coherent implementable strategy. We ned a president who can dream and visualise the Malawi of tomorrow and be able to mobilise the rest of the population towards that vision and dream. A president with a “can do” attitude not these ones who are full on promises but low on implementation.
but too late..
Dominating by wishful thinking!
I have lost interest in you ,I now believe that you are a coward ,you just want to use others to fight for your glory when you have hibernated ..You have over priced yourself when you are not worth your price in weight.You have ganged up with thiefs ,”birds of the same feathers flock together”..Anyway all the best my homeboy and welcome to the dragons den
Chilima should not belittle his involvement cahsgate – he knowingly sold his house to a cashgater and so he is corrupt.
Chilima connived with cashgater to sale his house. Zimvere mu mtolo Transformational Movement supporters.
So, Chilima accepts Mutharika has done well? At least he is honest. People can now see him as power hungry opportunist.
The VP is carefully choosing his words because he knows he is still in the corrupt government. Please note that what is corrupt is not necessarily the DPP party but Government leadership. By not resigning from Government you show everyone you are just another power hungry individual who wants to manipulate Malawians. From experience who behave this is the most corrupt individuals!!
sitifuna
We need to accept that Saulosi is a devout Catholic. People should know that he is only given space to speak when invited as a guest of honour. When he has space and attend church service at St. Patricks Parish every ordinary Sunday, he is NOT given space to speak. He does ordinary participation as as any faithul. I will encouarge other churches to invite him to their functions. Mind you he brings with him something little, shared from his labour. Whether he is genuine or pretend, he has demonstrated to be a God fearing person.
Come on. Is anybody buying this???