Chilima still in-charge of reforms, disaster management– Malawi govt clarifies VP not ‘stripped’

Chief Secretary to government, George Mkondiwa has clarified that Vice-President Saulos Chilima has not been stripped of his responsibilities as minister responsible for disaster response management, public events and chairperson of civil services and public services reform commission in the newly reorganised cabinet announced by President Peter Mutharika.

In the cabinet announcement, which was released through the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Chilima’s ministerial portfolio was missing and that led to conclusion he had been stripped of his role.

But Mkondiwa issued a statement posted on Malawi government website on Saturday that Chilima—who is not known to hold any position in DPP national governing council as he joined politics after Mutharika picked him from private sector to be his running mate in the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections— remains a minister in a lean team of 20.

Nkondiwa said in the statement that “further to the announcement on some changes to the cabinet on 7th April, 2016, I wish to advice that His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, State President, remains Minister of Defence and Commander-In-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force and Malawi Police Services.”

The statement adds that State Vice President Chilima whose corporate world experience promotes adherence to job description or portfolio has also ministerial duties.

“The Right Honourable Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima, Vice President, remains Minister responsible for disaster response management, public events and chairperson of civil services and public services reform commission,” reads the statement by Chief Secretary to the government.

President Mutharika Thursday reorganised his Cabinet, dropping only Thyolo South-West Member of Parliament (MP) Allan Chiyembekeza, who served as Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, and redeploying several others to other ministries. The President also appointed one new face, Lilongwe City West MP (DPP) Agrey Massi who has been appointed Deputy Minister of Defence replacing Reverend Malison Ndau who has since been promoted to Minister of Transport and Public Works.

Sacked Chiyembekeza was replaced by George Chaponda as Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development from to Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation where Francis Kasaila, the DPP spokesperson has been moved after being replaced by Ndau at Transport.

During the cabinet reorganisation, eight Cabinet ministers were not moved around by the President, they include Goodall Gondwe (Finance, Economic Planning and Development), Henry Mussa (Labour, Youth and Manpower Development) and Kondwani Nankhumwa (Local Government and Rural Development).

The President also maintained in their positions,   Atupele Muluzi (Lands, Housing and Urban Development), Joseph Mwanamvekha (Industry, Trade and Tourism), Bright Msaka (Natural Resources, Energy and Mining), Samuel Tembenu (Justice and Constitutional Affairs), Emmanuel Fabiano (Education, Science and Technology), Grace Chiumia (Sports and Culture) and Peter Kumpalume (Health). Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology Vincent Ghambi has also retained his portfolio.

Mulanje West MP Patricia Kaliati is now Minister of Information and Civic Education taking over from Jappie Mhango. Kaliati was moved from Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Kaliati replaced by Jean Kalilani as Mhango takes portfolio of Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security which was held by Kalirani.