Goodall stays defiant: ‘I cannot be removed as Finance Minister’

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe remained defiant that he could not be replaced  in his portfolio, saying reports suggesting that Education Minister Bright Msaka is likely to replace him in a Cabinet reshuffle after Parliament sitting are a figment of imagination.

The government purse-keeper has been facing widespread criticism on the way some payments from Treasury are being made and continue plunder of public resources known as Cashgate.

It is also believed that President Peter Mutharika want a fresh face to push key reforms to kickstart the economy.

It is learnt that Mutharika plans to bring in new ministers in place of those who haven’t been performing up to expectations.

But Gondwe brushed aside any assertions that he could be removed.

“I am here to stay as Finance Minister up to 2019,” he said.

Gondwe said he is not surprised with names being mentioned linked for his portfolio, saying some ambitions can be too dangerous. He could not elaborate.

Government spokesman Nicholous Dausi said he could not comment on the speculations because appointment of cabinet members is a “prerogative” of the President.