Law expert advises constitutional change to create permanent ministerial job for veep
A legal expert has proposed a Republican Constitutional amendment to create a permanent ministerial job for a State vice-president instead of leaving his fate at the mercy of a Head of State.
President Peter Mutharika is expected to announce a Cabinet reshuffle after this seating of parliament.
Vice president Saulos Chilima’s Disaster and Preparedness ministerial position is expected to be taken away from him after he announced he was resigning from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Justin Dzonzi of Justice Link said the situation in Malawi is complicated because the office of the veep is at the whim of the sitting president.
“The constitution should spell out the duties of the vice president, he should not be having delegations from the president as is the case now.” he said.
He said past experiences show that sitting presidents have a cat and mouse relationships with their second-incommand.
“As of now, the veep does not have a job, he is just a delegatee awaiting delegation from the delegator,” he said.
Dzonzi said this after Chilima said he was not contesting as a DPP presidential candidate because he did not want to be seen to be fighting with the owners of the Democratic Progressive Party.
Former president Bakili Muluzi had a cordial relationship with his vice Justin Malewezi until the third term issue arose.
However, Bingu wa Mutharika had an ice and rocky relationship with his vice presidents; Cassim Chilumpha and Joyce Banda.
Law makers check and revisit the constitution WE DONT NEED THIS VP position .Not necessary in Malawi.
Dzonzi, you are really intelligent and wise. I second your proposal.
I propose to change the law that if the President dies, we should conduct a fresh election within six months to elect a new president rather than vice kutenga udindo mpaka kumalizitsa term. It seems we have nothing to do with vice presidents here. We democracy is expensive eti?
Just scrap off the VP position it is a headache to Malawi
Is the position of Vice President even necessary?
That’s way to go. Veep should be leader of government business or minister of civil service rather than waiting for incapacitation of the president. It might also be necessary to consider the president appoint Veep.
I disagree! Let’s not make laws to suit individuals. I propose that we abolish the positions of Vice President altogether altogether. It is a useless post that has proved we can do without. When a President dies, let the Speaker of Parliament take over until a new president is elected. We can save tax payers money by abolishing this useless office which adds no value apart from political expediency