Malawians critique cabinet shake up: Mutharika surrounded by ‘kitchen’ friends, says paper

Malawians, including political commentators are giving mixed reactions on the cabinet shake up on Thursday that has seen former agriculture minister Allan Chiyembekeza as the lone victim.

Kaliati: New spokesperson for Malawi government as Minister of Information
Kaliati: New spokesperson for Malawi government as Minister of Information

In an editorial comment by Malawi’s flagship newspaper, The Daily Times, the paper said the reshuffles ‘means nothing” with recycling of personalities, mostly which Times’s sister publication Sunday Times gave a failure grade in an assessment recently.

The paper noted that cabinet “failures have just been just been transferred from one ministry to another.”

It said the recycled personalities in the cabinet contribute to lack of ethical leadership and integrity on the country.

The editorial comment said “failed faces shovelled from one portfolio to the other just confirms that President Peter Mutharika has sounded himself with kitchen friends who cannot offer anything new to the development of the country.”

Chancellor College political scientist Joseph Chunga doubted if Chiyembekeza was dropped because of non performance, saying problems rocking the ministry were beyond his control.

“There are many cabinet ministers whose performance has been below par but they have been retained. I can give an example of the former minister of Information Jappie Mhango, who brought dishonour to his ministry during his tenure of office,” said Chunga.

Chunga however said though Mhango failed “miserably” as government spokesperson, he has doubts over newly appointed Minister of Information, Patricia Kaliati.

“I don’t know what the President’s judgement is , but I think Kaliati will do the same job  that Mhango was doing,” said Chunga as quoted by Daily Times.

Another political scientist from University of Malawi, Boniface Dulani said if Chiyembekeza was dropped because of performance, then minister Finance Goodall Gondwe should have be shown the exit door too.

He said the shake -up will do little to help ease problems the country is facing.

Opposition parliamentarians, in the last meeting of parliament strongly called for the heads of Chiyembekeza and Health minister Peter Kumpaalume for their failure to sort the mess at their respective ministries.

Some civil rights groups were also calling for the head of Gondwe accusing him of failing to turn around the economy, saying he is too old and run out of ideas as finance minister.

Dulani said President Peter Mutharika might have spared Gondwe to continue talks with the IMF after Malawi’s surprise qualification of the extended credit facility of the global lender.

United Democratic Front (UDF) spokesman Ken Ndanga, whose party president Atupele Muluzi has been retained as minister of lands and housing, said: “Cabinet is a prerogative of the President and it is pleasing though to note that President Mutharika continues to leave by his pledge of maintaining a lean cabinet.

“The changes are inevitable because there  are no permanent  positions in cabinet. Let those that have been retained work hard and deliver because Malawians have high expectations.”

In the shake up, Malison Ndau, former defence deputy minister is now minister of Transport and Works taking over from Francis Kasaira who has been moved to Foreign Affairs ministry whose minister, George Chaponda is heading to the messy Agriculture ministry.

Kaliati will now be at Information minister whose minister Jappie Mhango has been moved to ministry of Home Affairs where its minister, Jean Kalirani has been moved to Gender and Social Welfare ministry.--Additional reporting by Owen Khamula, Nyasa Times

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kabudula
kabudula
7 years ago

Preparing for another midnight six because she is the actress of the midnight six drama

zoona
zoona
7 years ago

if a car speed limit z 80 it cant drive beyond this, DPP cant go beyond this with virus poor performers nothing new to come out mr president cant u see u need overhaul reshuffle be careful u might be the 1st to rule 4 only 5yrs if u mantain these wounded machinery already tried & tested who produces poor results…..oh yes

Omex70
Omex70
7 years ago

Mr Phwisa, #2, your assumptions are wrong. Is shows You Kaliati’s performance at the ministry of information on her uncensored speeches which can not help Malawi as a nation in any way. Castigating opposition is what Kaliati knows best when at ministry of information nothing else. You have also indicated that there is no one who can replace Goodall. That is laughable. You think Goodall is the only fish in the sea? There were Finance Ministers before him and there will be finance ministers after him. Man don’t be narrow minded.

Winston Msowoya
Winston Msowoya
7 years ago

Believe you me,Malawi government has lost.its break-pads and therefore it is heading towards a deep and perilous sinkhole.We have lucid personel in our country to run the government brilliantly,instead of the beauty queens who lack know-how.For instance,what does Kaliati do in the government? Showing styles and ambi painted face, in fact she fits in beauty contest platform,not in the respected government offices where the people expect natural personality and dignified manners.Why must the government of Malawi spends millions of KWACHA paying gluttonous and unproductive civil servants.With this kind of performances,Malawi is going nowhere ecomically and politically.After 52years of independence,Malawi has… Read more »

Monotony
Monotony
7 years ago

I Love Kaliati

nyamayasauka
nyamayasauka
7 years ago

Chilima pamodzi ndi Mbendera agulitsa dziko ili kwa alendo, lero ndizimenezi, he has started paying his dues now. Aaaaa malawi adali kale ndi tilemere basi.

Vinjeru
Vinjeru
7 years ago

Critics role is to amplify flaws however little but at least now some hope is coming with APM Govt. Kaliati welcome back our prodigal daughter, the ministry was down since you left, you know how to treat workers and we expect same good days at Information

Mangaliso Kauzanga
7 years ago

Political analysts. Is there anything that these thugs can show us that due to their work of analyzing, Malawi has benefitted here. Believe you me, these Political analysts are just spending our tax payers money for nothing and they are a waste. Why are they not doing something to make our politicians produce a vibrant work? Rubbish.

Mitumbuka
7 years ago

The old man Goodall Gondwe must go! He is left with no heart for the suffering Malawians at all. He must Go!

Gandaira
Gandaira
7 years ago

Chilima still holds those duties. Those r not ministries.

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