Malawi Cabinet reshuffle: Mutharika swaps two ministers, Chiumia and Chazama
President Peter Mutharika has made a minor cabinet reshuffle as he has swapped the portfolios of his Internal Security and Civic Education Ministers.
Grace Chiumia, who served as Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister will now handle Civic Education, Culture and Community Development portifolio.
Cecilia Chazama, who was Civic Education Minister will now take up the post of Home Affairs and Internal Security.
All other Cabinet portfolios have been maintained, according to Chief Secretary to government Lloyd Muhara.
Since last week after the governingDemocratic Progressive Party (DPP) suffered by-elections battering in five of the six constituencies and wards, political circles were speculating on a likely Cabinet shakeup, amid mounting political pressure from “a vote of no confidence.”
While the rest of the Ministers continue holding the portfolios formerly with them, the switch between Chiumia and Chazama raises eyebrows.
Observers speculate that Chiumia may have been inept at Home Affairs and Internal Security during the period the country is facing ‘bloodsucking’ mania where 10 people have since been killed in mob justice over the ‘vampirism’ myth.
Chazama is expected to provide a impetus to the crackdown of bloodsuckers syndicate.
The President does not explain his prerogative decisions on Cabinet appointments.
I hope Grace Chiumia is smart enough to know that according to Ministrial hierarchy this is a demotion and not a swap, she is her way out soon
Quota system within the cabinet as well, that is what Chiumia is representing otherwise she is a useless Minister, her conduct/behavior leaves a lot to be desired for, anyway 2019 is coming soon
Show me a performing minister!! In fact, Chiumia is not there to plunder our taxes like enawo.
My only advise to Chiumia is that that next time, do not be used by your collegues to act stupidly
All above comments are misplaced, the issue here is about by-elections outcome. DPP failed to use police machinery to rig by-elections because MCP has equally strong youths that can out do DPP cadets despite Police bias. Hence the reshuffle. Think of Rumphi and Bangula incidences with DPP cadets chasing Chakwera in Rumphi and failed. DPP cadets try to uproot MCP flags and failed. What does this mean to DPP?? Its a sign of incompetency. Power black outs, No water, no money and no chili chonse except poverty and you dream of winning. Shame!!!!
Choose the youthful ministers to assist Mr Chilima in the upcoming general elections,if the ball goes to MCP our friends will be courts.
Think about M.Kaliati for the general elections in 2019.We need strong women not people like Chaponda,they can bring nothing to the party and the government as a whole.
I think being a Minister is nothing but a luxury appointments to the president clones
Chazama’s photo looks like that of mama Joe, we expect more from you minister Chazama, do not be childish like your predecessor, congratulations!
Good move by the President. Chazama looks more ministerial than Chiumia especially for the Home Affairs & Internal Security ministry. Do the same shake up in Transport & Works, Sports & Labour and Information & Communication ministries. The incumbents in these ministries and the ruling party Secretary General are betraying the entire Governing Proxy and this is recipe for absolute humiliation in the 2019 general elections. Ignore this advice at your own peril.
The removal of Chiuma has not come as a surprise. While I may agree with the author of the story on the reason for her removal from Home Affairs Ministry, the other reason is her conduct to order the arrest of National Registration staff in Mzuzu and failing to pay them when donors had provided all the needed funds. The Ministry kept pushing the blame to the donors instead of government through her ministry taking the responsibility. The donors who supported the exercise were not happy with the way Chiumia handled the situation to a point some of them have… Read more »
Given breadth and depth of vision, plus the ability to think creatively, there is scope to transform Civic Education into one of the most important, transformative ministries in the government.