Malawi opposition leader trashes new ‘betrayal’ Cabinet

July 9, 2020 Nyasa Times Reporter 72 Comments

As Malawians continue to digest the 31-member cabinet announced by President Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, Leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa has described the new cabinet as “betrayal of people’s trust” in the new administration.

Leader of opposition Nankhumwa: President Chakwera had failed in the ‘Tonse Philosophy’ by appointing cronies and family members and favouring people from central region at the expense of national unity and merit.

Speaking in a telephone interview with Nyasa Times from Blantyre, Nankhumwa said President Chakwera had failed in the ‘Tonse Philosophy’ by appointing cronies and family members and favouring people from central region at the expense of national unity and merit.

“It is an appeasement cabinet. Instead of doing things ‘unusual’ as he promised during his inaugural address on 6th July, 2020, he is doing things ‘as usual’. This is probably the worst cabinet that Malawians have ever seen. It is simply not representative,” said Nankhumwa.

The soft-spoken politician, who served as Leader of Government in Parliament in the previous DPP administration, said President Chakwera has placed selfish interests of the MCP and its major partner UTM of Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima ahead of the interests of the people Malawi.

“I am sorry to say that President Chakwera has chosen to please his loyalists in MCP and a few others from UTM over the future of the country. It is completely unacceptable for the President to choose members from same families, including a couple, as cabinet ministers when he promised a collective approach to governance.

“Cabinet is a national cake, which must be seen to be shared equally. As opposition, we expected President Chakwera to appoint a cabinet that would reflect his pledge to re-unite Malawians against a backdrop of recent serious tribal, ethnic and regional divisions. The reaction of people out here is that of disappointment and consternation,” said Nankhumwa, who is also opposition DPP’s Vice President for the South.

The Leader of Opposition also observed “a blatant misplacement of talent” in the composition of the new cabinet. He said for example, as the world grapples with the Coronavirus global pandemic, the President ought to have appointed a medical expert as Health minister to co-ordinate government efforts in managing this health crisis.

Nankhumwa also observed that some traditional ministries have either been omitted inadvertently or purposely scrapped off such as Water and Irrigation, Gender and Women Empowerment, Disability and the Elderly, Disaster Preparedness and Response.

“Inclusion of these as stand-alone ministries would have made more sense than disaggregating Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Forestry and Natural Resources, Ministry of Mining and Energy,” said Nankhumwa.

In conclusion, Nankhumwa said he was well aware that President Chakwera has the prerogative to appoint cabinet ministers. However, the duty of opposition will be to monitor the performance of the new cabinet, individually and collectively, against specific outcomes.

“Where we notice underperformance, abuse of office and other unbecoming conduct, we will not sit back and watch in silence but publicly criticize such under performance and misconduct.

“The DPP administration under President Professor Arthur Mutharika made a lot of noticeable strides in social and economic development of the country and improving people’s lives. We will therefore draw from that experience to provide checks and balances to the new government to ensure that only representative policies are implemented for the benefit of all Malawians regardless of region, tribe, creed or colour,” he said.

Law expert Danwood Chirwa also observed that  “questionable characters” have been handed posts and that “there’s is evidence of pay for play”, and some new dubious ministries have been created while key ones such as for gender and children affairs have been omitted.

“The electorate voted for change, but this new cabinet lacks novelty. It is definitely uninspiring, if not disappointing,” said Chirwa.

He said he first cabinet was meant to send a clear message to all and sundry that patronage, corruption and looting will end, that those who have looted before will be investigated and prosecuted, and that new, clean and competent people will lead Malawi.

But said the new cabinet fails to meet the cut.

In a statement issued prior to the appointments, Chakwera said he and vice-president Saulos  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”.

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72 replies on “Malawi opposition leader trashes new ‘betrayal’ Cabinet”

  1. Corruption is our curse. They are just badly as corrupt as DPP. Looking out for each other and not for Malawian people is the unfortunate tradition at play here! Somebody tell me how competent to run a government can Patricia Kaliati be! It’s laughable!

  3. Bwana nankhumwa mumafuna patakhala ndani coz what I know one choose people who will certainly take orders

  4. Akhooo stay cool
    watch the Dramaa as it continue to unfold this is politics not church pulpit

  5. There’s nothing good that can come from George Malemia. Be mindful of what you speak as we may end up going after your MSCE news.

  7. APM was a hero and he is still the hero we choose to deny him and now we will cry fo him just wait and see. This is how God works so that we learn to be obidient unto his commands. He gave us a Leader full of Love and caring but we said no and this is what we wanted let’s not cry now it’s too early lest our tears will dry before harder times approaches.

    3. KUTUMA JOMO MTOPWA 1 KUMAMENYA ANTHU OSALAKWA WAS THAT LOVE WHICH GOD HAD PUT IN APM ? OOH KOMA NDIYE mulungu wake wa baala mchifukwa chake OUR MIGTHY GOD HAD TO REMOVE him from power shamelessly. you will talk until your eyes will see the difference and appreciate the change.Until then be as blind as your apm and nankhumwa george malemia

  8. mavuto.
    dpp had many mps
    many ministers
    many high calibre like CEOs
    DIPLOMATS
    PSs
    Managers
    Directors
    Heads
    etc over 70
    joji malemnya kukokela office!
    tiwaone kaye awawa awa.
    azipempha upangili kwa ma adisor ao na.
    oga ataniso

  9. Certain NGOs are for DPP and we known them well. Soon they will be exposed and we dont care weather they go to courts. Women women what, cant you wait and see how these people will perform and advise the President accordingly. May be you wanted ambuye anu kuti akhalepo. Can you you check the cabinet of previous government. Nankhumwa is just talking nonses. Hon. Chakwera stop listening to these NGOs.

  10. Kondwani is MP and his wife too why did kondwani not talk all this rubbish? Could he say the same if Peter had won ? This is foolish.

  12. Kondwani even failed to be chosen as vice president during the poorly reign of your agogo. Instead peter chose an outsider Atupele muluzi to assist you winning the elections though the boy miserably failed on tax payers money country wide. You still in the opposition including your leader peter nonse mwalephera and for your information Nankhumwa you are rich on the head of peter mutharika. Will come to Blantyre direct to your radio station in mulanje.School munakanikanso give leadership to chapola though a thief but educated. A kondwani ndinu wosusa mpakana 2045. This sweet party will never never go back to thieves of lomwelisation. We have started chasing them in our companies pamene winayo tamukhazika pansi anathawira ku nyanja.

  13. This is coming from a wrong party dpp that Malawians totally rejected. Did APM listen to anyone? Did APM have ministers from Kasungu, Lilongwe, Dedza, Ntchisi, Salima, Karonga etc. Chimunthu chosamva ngati APM but we went on with our daily lives. Chakwera and Chilima are doing their best. There was another silly president Bakili Muluzi who had a cabinet of 48. Anyone who defected to udf was made minister. That was utter stupidity. Please Chakwera if you want to listen to anyone and appease everyone go back to church or go to sell ice cream.

  14. Apa zikuoneselatu kuti achina Mia ndi a Kandodo anthu awaziwa panopa momwe cabinet yasakhidwamu zoto anthuwa akhala nganganga pambuyo pa Chakwela nthawi yomwe amalimbana ndi ulamuliro wa DPP zimenezo anthu akuonesa kuti sakuzisata. A malawi tili ndi vuto lofuna kukolola pomwe sitinathandize nawo kupalira, mawu a Mulungu amati uzadya thukuta lako chomwe amatathauza ndi choti ngati munthu ukufuna kuti zikuyendele ukuyenela kumenya khondo wekha osamangoyembekezela mana kuchokela ku mwamba. DPP chonde dekhani apaseni mpata anzanu agwire ntchito ndipo chomwe chikudabwisa ndi choti ndimu office momwe sanalowemo mwayambapo kale manongónongó ndiye fuso ndikumati kodi mwawaona kale kuti a Kandodo ndi a Mia akanika kugwila ntchito. Komaso kunena zoona mayi Mia ndi Kandodo si azimayi wamba kukhani ya ndale ndiye apa ngakhale manongónongó akuchuluka nkhani yaikulu ndi yoti a DPP akuziwilatu kuti apapa ndiye kuti ku Lower States basi agwa nako ndi momwe mayi Mia awapasa undunamu.

    1. a Dzozi omwe pa msonkhano wao oyamba anangokungila zibhakela kuti atha kuswana naye owazunguza. mkhondo siimanga mudzi.
      pitala mu ma rally amati mw akhala pa nkhondo blaming on Laz.
      nkamwa mopanda manomo

  16. You can’t plant corn and expect to reap peas. Danwood, do you think people can put their time, money, hard work and support, in the end you go and pick a bystander for a ministrial position. Which world does that happen? Ministry of gender and children, I am sorry, it is not a key ministry. Who cares about gender, I for one less. I would like to see opportunities in the offices. I would like to see results. I care much less about Sidik and Abida being in Cabinet. Elections have consequences. Anybody that believes in miracles in politics is wishful thinking. The problem is, like one comment said, everyone is Malawi wants to be a president.

  19. Nanga boma kukasankha mchacha,ben phiri ndi ena ambiri can say kuti panali nzeru? Ca you please tell us maphunziro achamcha kupanga compare ndi Mai mia mukuwanena apa?? Basi kulankhula number one,talowani inuyo tione ngati mungapange zokomela onse mudziko muno.

  20. Nanu a nankhumwa ingokhalani chete. And there’s nothing wrong with having couples or members of same family as cabinet ministers as long they qualify. Happens in the west and I believe elsewhere. The greatest thing that has happened to Malawi is kicking you LOT out of government.

  21. Kulira kwa Mlhomwe chifukwa in the past we used to have over 15 Lhomwes in a cabinet of 20. At least the Lhomwes are also there ndiye this can’t be the worst cabinet. After the DPP won the 2014 elections there was only 1 minister from the Central region in Kalirani and 2 Northerners and the rest were Southerners. By the way, we have seen Nankhumwas name of the list of looters from MACRA. Pay back the money before it is too late.

  23. A Nankhumwa inu ndi a merit, koma tatikumbutsani, paja qualification imene mudalowera mu cabineti ndi chiyani? Isakhaletu certificate yakuba!!!!

  24. What about your lomwelisation of the government ?? Was that not a big disappointment??

  25. Chakwera indeed more disappointing in ur selection of ur cabinet ministers pls we thought u could hold ur breath and appoint a good cabinet ministers so that ur promises would have been achieved now u breaking up the tonse philophy eish I cry for malawi things will never change gaffer how can u investigate him and other crooks

  26. I never thought the day would come when i would agree with DPP guys, but here I am. Dziko ndi lozunguliradi.

  28. Misonkhano ija mumaona ngati ndiyaulere ? kulandila ma T-Shirt, Kulipila azibusa ndi mashehe, DJ, Mafumu, whistlestop tours, Imbizo, Maloya ku court mumaona ngati ndi zaulere? Mukapanga masewra mubweza zathu za ife achina Mia, Gaffar etc. Ndisamvenso wina akuti nfwenfwe ndikupasani bill ndikusiyireni inuyo. Mukakhala ma cadet inuyo ndiye mukudziwa kale kuti geni yanu siyinapate nchifukwa mukulira mobangula

  29. Nankhumwa ndi gwape eti, you can openely say your recent past govt was a serious tribal, ethnic and regional and yet you were there and did nothing, you were only a spectator. Secondly, you are saying Ministry of health could be under a health expert was gwape Mhango a medical expert.

  30. Zayambika, ankati tidzatere tikalowa m’boma but now you are there. Remember, sitima imaphweka akamayendetsa wina. Takonzani zomwe anaononga anzanu kuti tione zosinthazo.

  31. The mission was to take out DPP from government basi kwinaku or zitamalakwika ife tilbe nazo ntchito bola mission ya alomwe kuchoka m’boma inatheka mumva nyekhwe

  32. Foseki
    That’s the best cabinet ever selected.
    Osati mbuzi like Dausi
    Mchacha
    Navitcha
    Ops the list goes on.
    These were people with no Educational qualifications.
    Ops they were good at Kutukwana

    1. Ine im very disappointed guys. I voted for Tonse alliance koma cabineti iyi ayi ndithu. Ife we voted for change and its an insult to mention achina Dausi, aNavitcha, za Henry Mussa zinapita inutu munatinamiza kuti you will be different. Zinthu zikalakwika mumavomereza ndikukonza. Koma makani opanda ntchito sakuthandizani. Ndikulira voti yanga ineeeeee!!!!

    2. Kumalawi mvuto ndilakuti sitinathamangepo we need a Group like thè one of bokoharam and teach this idiots in high offices a lesson mybe they Will stop all’ this nosense

      1. Osanama APA Achakwela mwagufa zoo na Kasungu yekha 3 Ministers koma Mpoto yense Nduna zitatu pali fairness APA..? Nankhumwa akunena Zoona chifukwa we hated Peter because he chose ministers from the south…Now u a doing the same.OK we will see if MCP on its own will sail thru in the next election?.Mwayamba kuzitama…..chabwinoooo…….

      2. Why some of you people enjoy kutukwana and not being constructive if you are to correct others? How can you call yourselves as being good people when you are busy insulting those who are just being so fair with the analysis? Be responsible Malawians because GOD is watching everything. If you dont believe it, ask yourself, who created the real you?

  35. A Kondwani agogo wanu failed to convince us akuti Coronavirus and hid at Sanjika. Waona zokuda pitala.Deco yathera pompo. Mano 83 mkamwa.

  36. Removing gender ministry is the biggest disappointment. People fought hard to have that ministry. Gender is so important is encompasses every development and growth issue, from fighting poverty, hunger, unemployment, overpopulation, unemployment, food security, climate change.. none of it can be achieved without gender dimension. And not having it a a standalone ministry removes it’s bargaining power that it might have to hold other ministry accountable or lobby. Such a regressive move Dr pastor! I knew I will be disappointed with this govt but not this much this soon

    1. But what has it achieved since it started?Women were raped in Msundwe hence your Minister of Gender was just quiet,what can you tell us?

      1. That was a fabricated story if you don’t know my friend. Who was raped, your mom or sister? Changamuka m’bale.

  37. The danger with this family connected cabinet is that once they strike a deal they will keep it and not expose it. Indeed these people need to be watched as this a syndicate

  39. Surely Chakwera could have done better I think the people from the north have been betrayed this is not what the Tonse Alliance was preaching to the people. Please my fellow northeners think twice this government of Chakwera and Chilima is not for TONSE as preached it is for the Chewas and individual family members. This is pure rubbish no one sensible can welcome such a tribalistic Cabinet selected out of appeasement shame on you Mr President. Who’s is advising you?? Should we say you are working with pressure?? You started very well and almost everybody liked what you were doing but now mwayamba kuphwisa zonunkhatu anthu ayamba kukuthawa term yanu isanakwane. Apa zadziwika kuti mukufuna kuti mugawane ndalama zaboma. Paja a Sidik Mia anakubwerekani ndalama za kampeni ndiye mukufuna mubweze shaaaaaa!!! mpaka nonse mu cabinet!!! mmmmm Malawi is rotten no doubt better DPP.

  40. Now i understand why it was difficult to come up with this cabinet. Too much angongole too much nepotism and too much achibanja. unfortunately this time time it will be very difficult ukakhala hule nde kunamizila amana ambiri kuti ndieni mimba amakayambitsa chipwilikiti ku chilowero. Abusa munadya zambiri aliyese akufuna zake mutani ? by the way we would like you make sure those who killed our mangochi police officer in nsundwe azengedwe milandu.

  41. Otsutsa ndi choncho, inu za cabinet zikukukhudzani chiani? Let a local person comment not inu a leader of oppsition, you had your time, its time for others, simukufuna kubvomeleza kuti you are out of government. Mukhaula simunati. Maudindo is not only cabinet, those left out will be considered other positions. A president works with those he can trust and feels are capable to deliver.

  42. Angophwasula ayambirenso, asataye nthawi apa. Masabata awiri apita ati kusankha nduna, koma nduna zake mwamuna ndi mkazache, munthu ndi mlongwache, munthu ndi mulamwache. Ndi zithu zothera milungu iwiri zimenezi? Ntchito yosankha akawalaalwa ndi ya maola chabe, tsiku osatha.Incompetence ija ndi imeneyi yayamba kuoneka. Koma zoonadi akuku sadaname kuti wamisala anaona nkhondo. Driver Kuwani amanena koma ife kusamva.

  45. Sidik Mia was minister for transport and Public works under Bingu regime and Mia was instrumental in recruiting mota engil as government contractor of choice as far as corruption was concerned. mota engil is very corrupt entity which am sure Mia and his cronies will be exploiting. The so called third Republic already stinks

    1. Nankhumwa you shouldnt even try to criticise. You were from a lomwe belt so why is it that you are leader of your party. Was there nobody from the north or central region

    2. I agree, Chakwela is just another idiot who has been given the new license to loot, exit Lomwe heritage, enter chewa heritage Malawi is something else

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