MCP says Lowe Covid-19 appointment an ambush: ‘Not consulted apart from chat with Mpinganjira’
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has said the appointment of leader of Opposition in Parliament Lobin Lowe into newly formed an inclusive Presidential Task Force on Coronavirus was an ambush, claiming Lowe was not consulted.
President Peter Mutharika said Tuesday evening that the task force replaces the Special Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 that has recently come under fire for alleged shortfalls in communicating critical technical health issues.
He disclosed that Lowe has accepted to serve in the task force “on behalf of opposition parties.”
The task force is to be co-chaired by a Cabinet minister and a professor in public health which will report directly to the President.
But addressing a news conference on Wednesday, MCP secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka said the idea to have an inclusive committee was welcomed but the appointment of Lowe was not done in good faith.
“Honourable Lowe was not consulted. What happened is that he had an informal chat with Brown Mpinganjira on the need of Covid-19 committee to have members of the opposition.
Veteran politican Mpinganjira is executive member of governing Democratic Progressice Party (DPP) and has of late been been the party’s field marshal and in-charge of special political projects.
The MCP secretary general stressed that it was necessary and for the parties to nominate names of who would serve in that committee. Just that chat and then he learns he has been appointed in a committee,” said Mkaka.
He continued: “These people have been plundering taxpayers’ money in form of allowances and they want to soil some other people into their thieving culture.”
But State House spokesman Mgeme Kalilani insisted that Lowe was consulted and accepted to serve.
He said MCP rants are merely “hot air.”
Besides Lowe, who is Lilongwe Rural Central MCP member of Parliament, included in the task force, according to the President, are professors and medical doctors from the University of Malawi, Public Affairs Committee chairperson Monsignor Patrick Thawale, a senior chief, civil society organisations (CSOs) representative and the Christian Health Association of Malawi (Cham).
Mutharika said technical committees comprising various professionals from both the private and public sectors will be below the Presidential Task Force.
The President’s restructuring of the Cabinet Committee comes barely three days after his estranged Vice-President Saulos Chilima on Sunday dared him to demonstrate leadership in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic by bringing on board all stakeholders to be part of an inclusive national response.
CSOs in the health sector also petitioned Minister of Health Jappie Mhango, who chaired the Special Cabinet Committee on Coronavirus, also proposed a National Covid-19 Response Committee comprising various stakeholders, including the Executive, Judiciary, Parliament, CSOs, traditional leaders, the clergy and opposition political parties.
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Let him resign then if he was not consulted. I actually dont understand this mad person Nkaka who rants on almost anything.
koma apa APM ndye wakutcheranitu kkkkk waiponyera kwakuya.
Nothing wrong in appointing Leader of opposition. But because we know DPP’s tactics that is why we query. You idiotic people who do not see anything wrong stay as you are – idiots. Those of us anzeru will continue to check DPP’s mediocrity. If MCP had any issues, it could have blocked Lowe from participation but it was only giving wisdom to the unwise on how to do things
Strange. Why not check with Lowe before writing this piece? I was expecting to read “attempts to reach Lowe have failed…”, but it seems no such attempt was made.
Neighbour wadabwa. Ana ake akumakadya kwa neghbour.
Spent 5 years in USA came back with the most absurd fake accent, kumayankhula kamlomo katasongoka. This Chakwera guy is another fake pastor, a conman wearing suit and tie. A fluke, a facade, a fugazzi. There is nothing authentic about the man. Everything is forced, even his Chewa. It’s as bad as a Russian trying to speak English. This party that Kamuzu Banda and Jzu led has become trash. Doesn’t Lowe have a voice to speak for himself????
Why attack Chakwera on this issue? What wrong has he done? Is his American accent his only ‘crime’ ? Bauleni you are jealous of Chakwera instead being proud of him. The man’s accent is good and his English is fluent. Peter Mutharika was in the States for many years but could not manage the American accent and he is not a good speaker. Come off it man, appreciate what is good (and Chakwera is good!) and be proud of Malawian instead of being of jealous. Grow up!!!
He has not been appointed as Lowe the individual, he has been appointed as leader of opposition therefore it was important for protocols to be observed, that is why Chimunthu turned down the appointment. By the way, You are DPP
Nsanje kunyanya nsanje,,,You are not even a sixth of a person Chakwera is,,The guy has absolute leadership skills and not the moronic pretender we have at a moment,,Worse than manyi owuma.
User lier he speak good english than kamudala kako kaja kamavavata . what are you talking about?
Opposition, u have been crying for inclusion in this committee. Peter has made ur wishes come true, U now finding excuses. What Coup r u talking about ? Just grow up n take part in this fight. Covid is real people! Masanje ai
Let Lowe speak for himself, he has mouth. In fact Lowe is somewhat objective than stupid Chakwera. Game yakukulirani apa. Ndiye mwayamba kale kupeka the Atibera lyrics. Ndi APM Muona Nyekhwe.
Lowe has brains and so objective unlike the other opposition tribalists.
Chipani cha MCP chalowa masanje enieni nanga a Mkaka angakhale anthu oyendetsa chipani? Too childish