Malawi new Cabinet provokes backlash: It’s nepotistic, chauvinistic, without star players
As the new Cabinet lineup that will administer state affairs in the Tonse Alliance government assembled by President Lazarus Chakwera in consultation with his vice-president Saulos Chilima is set to be sworn-in, critics have berated the team.
South Africa-based Malawian professor of law, Danwood Chirwa, says, in his cabinet, President Chakwera has reduced the electoral victory to the actions of a few individuals whose main interest is to profit from the State, not through the ordinary remuneration and other trappings ministerial positions offer, but though corruption and looting.
Chirwa made the comment on Thursday; just a day after Chakwera released a 30-member Cabinet.
He began by taking an issue with the restructuring of the government saying it is irrational, with some ministries broken up for no good reason, or having no concrete mandate deserving separate existence, while other important portfolios have been removed or ignored completely.
The law professor added that there’s no manifest bona fides rationale for the restructuring, which is linked to better delivery of the alliance manifesto.
“On the contrary it is evident that the structure is meant to accommodate the wide net of patronage networks,” he said.
Chirwa also noted that the composition of the cabinet reflects back room deals founded on pay for play, corruption and nepotism.
“Crooks and known looters have been appointed, sending a clear message that all talk about ending corruption and all gimmicks about shutting down the MRA and other institutions to nip looting was window dressing. We have seen this before, Malawians are not that stupid,” he said.
He continued that key ministries such as health, education, and foreign affairs need competent professionals to run them; to be sure, a medical doctor, an renowned academic, and a seasoned diplomat respectively; noting that individuals of questionable credentials have been appointed to these portfolios.
“The entire cabinet stinks of incest, and the smell is quite frankly unbearable. Not only has it been set up so that some families loot not just one ministry but two or more ministries,” he said.
He also added that the cabinet is embarrassingly male dominated, even as the ministry of gender and children has been abolished.
“If the men, who have been appointed we’re exceptional, may be there could be an argument as to merit. But this argument is unavailable because we have some of the known incompetents and crooks on the list. There’s no excuse for marginalizing women in this day and age,” he noted.
On regionalism, Chirwa said the cabinet lacks regional balance.
“Once more, the northern vote has been used for the hegemonic ambitions of another region. One should have expected a more fair representation from the north given the critic role it played in ushering in this government. It seems all credit has been given to the Vice President, which is altogether misplaced. Apart from the Attorney General, I haven’t seen any credible person from the north in this government who can stand up and put pressure to do good. The disproportionately few that are there are mere ‘hand clappers’, to use somebody’s terminology,” he noted.
The professor also noted that there are no stars in this cabinet.
“All we have is a collection of recycled politicians, spent forces, looters, privileged and spoilt sons of powerful families and a few unknown new additions,” he said.
Another commentators Idriss Alia Nassah said some of the very obvious misfits for the portfolios is the minister of civic education and national unity given to former human rights activist turned politician Timothy Mtambo.
Nassah said the portfolio doesn’t make sense.
“Rightly, President Chakwera is facing severe backlash for his timid and uninspiring cabinet and it is because Malawians cannot be fooled by rhetoric. The bar f public service has been set much higher that it has ever been for any president before . And it is good for our country,” he said.
A social and political commentator Makhumbo Munthali has described the new Cabinet as a mixed bag that attempts to reconcile the political interests of the Tonse Alliance with the public expectation of new blood and technocrats.
“One can clearly see that some appointments are merely rewarding certain individuals in the Tonse Alliance for the huge role they played in campaigning for Chakwera. But at the same time, the incorporation of new blood such as Mtambo, Gospel Kazako, Vera Kamtukule and others offers some hope,” Munthali said.
A quick analysis of the Cabinet composition shows that MCP has 16 members—12 full ministers and four deputies—representing 51.6 percent while UTM Party has contributed six: four ministers and two deputies, representing 19.4 percent.
There are also two independent legislators Madalitso Kambauwa and Nancy Chaola Mdooka.
In a statement issued prior to the appointments, Chakwera said he and vice-president Chilima had a tough time to come up with the Cabinet as there were many capable individuals who could not all be taken on board.
The President then disclosed that others will be given other responsibilities as “the work of draining the swamp, clearing the rubble, overhauling the rotten systems of the state and building new systems cannot be the preserve of Cabinet ministers alone”.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
NSANJE PULOFESA
One of very useless lawyers South Africa maintains is Danwood Chirwa. I think South Africa there many dull people who did not go to school Only Danwood has brains.
Malawians have a problem of misdirecting their demands for accountability. Now let me explain. It is in order for all of us to demand a cabinet reorganization as soon we notice that its formulation does not meet our expectations. It’s our right and that’s what democracy is all about. Way forward, we need to know that the cabinet is there to create an enabling environment for good governance. The actual work is done by Ben and Besse of company A, department C, and parastatal C. These guys are usually news leaders, critics, and analysts. Mostly they do not see anything good around them and they do so in the comfort of the conditions and positions at their places of work. They don’t call it corruption when they get kickbacks from suppliers and contractors. They are smart. They don’t see anything wrong when they are building homes with stolen money. They inflate the prices of their raw materials, equipment, and tools for their projects and yet all those costs bear the unbearable living costs for a poor Malawian. They go to church, they fast and they testify about what God is doing in their lives. Alas! they are simply but mere mortal – persons to be pitied before the throne of God. They mocked those who dared the ruthless police when they demanded rights for people with albinism, raped women, maladministration of DPP, and the list is too long. These are the same guys blaming the president today! This is why I am asking HE Chakwera and Dr. Chilima to focus on dealing with these individuals who think they are smart. They think they are unblamable. They think they are good before the laws of Malawi. They are busy pointing their fingers at those in power and not themselves.
Patricia Kaliati, the Secretary General of UTM is appointed in the cabinet. So is Eineshower Mkaka, the Secretary General of MCP. Now that the two are ministers who is going to run their parties? Are SGs not the CEOs of parties. How are we going to account the government money vs party funds? I am confused here
Koma a Malawi sadzatheka. Galimoto. mwangogula kumene simunakwele Mwayamba kuyipezera zifukwa
We will now demand implementation of the promises such as universal fertiliser subsidy, one million jobs, K15000 per month stipend for the elderly of 65 yrs old and above, 3 meals per day, inclusive government, etc. Otherwise, we will take to the streets.
It is apparent from the comments that people have written that they had a different expectation from what politics is able to offer. My foot! I read words like, recycled politicians, looters, family members, technocrats, inspire confidence. My foot! You all dunno how politics work. The minister is one guy, there is a whole lot of people that needs to do their job under him. Those are the ones you should be worried about. The so called technocrats, did you see them on the campaign trail. If you did, at what time did they join? After the game had been won? Even the stock market doesn’t work that way. Those that come in late must get fewer returns than those who joined earlier. The technocrats you are talking about must suffer the pain and earn something. There is no food for a lazy man.
To all those that are criticizing the Cabinet. You were living in a world of imaginations. These are political positions. Jamaicans say, “You caan plant corn and expec’ fi reap peas.” Ministrial positions are political positions. They are appointed positions. No interviews for those positions. So expecting some miracles is just wishful thinking.
Rashy mpakana? He’s DPP till MEC announced results. Anti Tonse..what has happened? Tell us how much we need to pay to buy positions
Where is Ministry of Irrigation and Water Development?
A danwood mumatsutsa everything mmafuna akuyikeni inuyo undunawo
Mediocre cabinet of nepotism, cronyism and regionalism
Mr Chirwa has problems with everything!! If truth be told what has he ever done for mother Malawi?
Beyonf the above, I strongly feel Dudha too, you have your own problem and I think the best you can do is kupita kukakolopa Lake Malawi basi….!
Sincerely I am sure you very well know that Southerners from the list are as follows:
1.Usi is from Mulanje.
2.Kaliati is from Mulanje.
3.Kachale is from Zomba.
4.Gaffar is from Blantyre.
5.Abida is from Chikwawa.
6.Sidik is from Chikwawa.
7.Nancy Tembo is from Mangochi.
8.Gospel Kazako is from Nsanje.
Ministers From the North include:
1.Chikosa Silungwe
2.Agness Nyalonje
3.Vera Kamtukule
4.Kezzie Msukwa
5.C Kalamula Kanyasho
6.T Mvalo
7.Timothy Mtambo
8.Chaola Mdoko
The remaining 13 Ministers plus Chakwera and Chilima are from Central Region
Other important and very senior appointments:
1.RBM Governor from Kande in Nkhatabay.
2.Ngwira the National Intelligence Bureau Director from north
Nde regionalism pamenepa ili pati? Kapena you meant that the list will be better till you are one them!! Awansooooooooooooooo
I think we do not understand here, the main problem is not regionalism, but rather lack of ethics, consideration and upholding of justice in selecting cabinent members by President Chakwera. As a reveland and man of GOD, was suppose to know about this. He was suppose to decern and apply ethics not favoritism. How can choose people from the same families ministers as if there is educated or capable people in Malawi who handle these positions…this a mortal sin. These are the early signs of not being gratitude to those poor souls who sucrificed their lives for him, demonstrated for him and voted for him during election. The President is taking Malawians for granted and has no heart on well-being of poor Malawians , but rather he is rewarding business partners and thugs who helped him to crimb the ladder. The cabinate is just a group of crooks and corrupt individuals who are taking advantage and utilise the weakness of the previous government use them scapegoats to get to the top. This mistake will cost the president dearly and he will lose his popularity both in Malawi and outside Malawi. He should bear in mind that malawians are not fools but slleeping giants that can bounce at anytime… they are counting every simple mistake from the day one, give them three years, you will see more demonstrations than ever. Malawian history always repeats itself. He must ask and learn what happen to Muluzi(UDF), Joyce Band (PP) and Mutharika(DPP). “FIRST IMPRESSION IS THAT LAST”.
Chakwela would still have won without the northen votes. So northerners and their Judges agwa nayo, wanting to get into government through back door. The only way to please northers is to have a government with 50 northerners even though they are just about 10% of the population. Having said that, Chakwela and his government are nyasi and useless, they will take us backwards 100 years by the time they are done with us, Nyau people Fotsets. Ma Judges mwaonatu ntchito zanu, ana a njoka inu fotseki
I would like to see Tonse succeed, but I am not comfortable with the cabinet as it is.
There needs to be more representation from the North, the South and have people interview and compete for jobs, instead of the hand picked recycled lot (MRA).
Bola mukwanilitse za mu manifesto zija,
Za cabinet simungasangalatse aliyense Dr Chakwera and Dr Chilima,
Gwirani ntchito and time will best judge you,
As of now, work hard, work hard
Malawians should feel lucky Mia has one wife. Had he married two or more chances are high they would all be ministers now
Malawi has turned out to be a disgraceful nation at international level,,, SHAME MALAWI
Atumbuka ndi Condom amavoti aku mwela ndi pakati . Just use it and ……………..KKKKKKKKKKKKK
then u dont know , atumbuka ambiri mmalawi muno ndiamene ali mmaudindo akulu akulu , ka minister mkachaninso, and for your information from northern region kuli anthu 8, south 9 , central 13 ubwino upose pamenepa ?
Koma a Chakwera kusanihira mantha. Ndikuuza a Mtambo omwe. Trapence ndi Sembereka limbikirani ma demo tu. Simwaiwona gemu mmene ikuyendera. Kkkkkk
I see the Gupta FAmily syndrome in MCP GOVT.
Chirwa you would be happy if the cabinet was full of tumbukas because they are your kinsmen, isn’t it ? you are shit.
I expected and more is yet to come..this man is not capable of running a government..he is power hungry and very upset to lead the people..ma demo akubwera this time I hope soldiers will still be on peoples side
Same looters, recycled politicians, hahaha!! No new change. Ife tinaziwa kale
who are the looters if i may ask ?
REMEMBER WHAT LATE 2 PACK SAID
“SOME THINGS WILL NEVER CHANGE”
Weeks down the line. this is amplified nyekhwe to malawians
Chinzake cha pakati pa Saulosi ndi Gaffer adzagwetserana kuphompho tsiku lina. Saulosi has been involved with Gaffar for a very long time. Saulosi kuyamba ndale tinayamba kuona gaffar ku ndale. Kugulitsa ma bus kwa mutharika. Tiziona kumene zithere but it seems apumbwa ndi ambiri mu dziko muno
Don’t make a mistake to offer positions of CEO of parastatals to those that campaigned for you. These are professional positions and must be filled by qualified professionals. Already you have goofed by appointing MRA CEO instead of advertising the job to allow competition.What you have just done is against what you promised us. Mukufuna kuti ku MRA kudzadze ndi anthu akwa Maganga? When Bizwick was CEO at NBS the whole NBS was full of Magangas. We should not allow this to happen otherwise we are prepared to get COVID on the streets.
Same old story… too bad!!
mr President, simple definition for ‘quality’ is ‘fit for purpose’ what do you expect from this fragmented composition of retired and incompetent people? of course except few; Why do we send our children to school or why are we building universities if you can afford in this error to take a family of primary school graduates from one family into a cabinet expected to bring change? am sorry to say this my brother. mwatichekera kosathwa. apa ndiye mwatizuzunda. However, we are not stopping supporting you; we will be honest with you up until you learn that its not a child game. You mean out of 18 million people with a 55 years university, you couldnt find people who can help you?
Exactly what dpp was doing. These are two different faces of the same coin. We have portfolio created to accommodate mtambo
Jah!! Not what Doo was doing! This is worse than DPP. Give an example where Dpp chose two ministers from same family – husband and wife, brother and sister, sister and brother in law? This is total rubbish!!! Chilima watigulitsa ndi nyau!!! How do you translate Civic Education and Unity ministry to districts? Just mere pipeline to be syphoning taxpayer’s with useless portfolio!!! Where is ministry of gender? Bwanji anakaknera cabinet list ya mbuyomu? Meaning the two leaders alephera kutuluka cabinet!!! Absurd!! Absurd!!
Rev.Chakwera must learn history from Zimbabwe where Bishop Abel Muzorewa was first black Prime Minister and had his party called United party(UP), but he failed the country, followed by Rev. Canaan Banana who became the president but also smoked the country.There was Rev. Nebaningi Sinthole,all these men of God confessed their failure until when Robert Mugabe became the president in 1980. The political history of these men of God must be taken seriously.