Movers and shakers to hit Malawi Police IG, Chief Secretary: Mutharika’s regime change ‘paranoia’
Malawian President Peter Mutharika is being accused of “paranoia” over the reports he has been getting from politically compromised National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) that there is regime change plot to out Mutharika from power.
The President who has fired Malawi Defence Force (MDF) commander General Ignacious Maulana and replacing him with his former deputy Griffin Supuni-Phiri is also said to ring changes in many other top government institutions including the police.
Supuni-Phiri, who for a long time served as Malawi’s military attache at the Malawi Mission at the United Nations and as aide de camp to then president Bakili Muluzi, will be deputised by Lieutenant General Clement Namangale (administration) and Lieutenant General Vincent Nundwe (operations).
Government insiders say Duncan Mwapasa is waiting in the wings to be installed Inspector General of Police to replace Lexten Kachama.
Chief Secretary in the Office of President and Cabinet, George Mkondiwa is also set to be given diplomatic post in Japan and will be replaced by Dalitso Kabambe who is Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Principal Secretary.
There have been several reports by NIB claiming there is a regime change agenda being plotted by the opposition to o overthrow President Mutharika.
Three opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) executive Ulemu Msungama, spokesperson Jessie Kabwila and the party’s legal adviser Peter Chakwantha, after answering to treason charge over alleged WhatsApp chat discussing how to unseat Mutharika.
MCP secretary general Gustave Kaliwo, who is also the party’s legal adviser, lamented the arrest, saying Mutharika has been telling the nation that he and five other political colleagues had been slapped with a politically-motivated trumped-up treason charge after his elder brother Bingu wa Mutharika, had died suddenly in the presidency.
He noted that, to date, the President dismisses that charge and wondered how a whole government may now use reported—and highly questionable— WhatsApp chats as evidence of a serious charge of either treason or sedition.
The development comes after concerns that the intelligence body NBI currently headed by Nicholas Dausi, a senior politician in the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is politically compromised had resorted to “cheap propaganda”.
Chancellor College-based political scientist, Boniface Dulani told the press that “NIB has been used, and continues to be used by ruling parties to advance partisan, rather than national, interest.
“The main targets end up being opposition politicians, those that hold critical voices or are considered disloyal to the ruling party and elites.”
Early this year, government said it had intelligence information that MCP with assistance from the international community was plotting to unseat president Mutharika. MCP officials denied those allegations.
Outgoing British High Commissioner Michael Nevin confirmed to a local daily that United Kingdom has been raising the concerns with Malawi government over politisation of NIB for some time.
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Dzinenani Pachulu
What about Director General of State House ameneyunso watiponda ndi chiphanzi kwambiri and I don’t know if the State President APM knows this.
All these positions mentioned are politically connected to the Head of State. People are appointed without being interviewed and without having applied for these positions. Politics is always at play and sometimes if not very often; incorrect people are employed hence these shifts/changes. We used to experience these changes with Kamuzu, Bakili,Bingu and Joyce and therefore Peter can not be singled out.
NIB was there, has always been there, is there and shall always be there to save the ruling party. For the nation, we have the police and the army to look at.
Mthalika is digging a grave himself. He is declared not a leader but just a mayor teacher who should immediately leave the country and go for teaching in USA other than risking himself being voted out in 2019 and then cardiac. This guy failed vehemently when he was a minister in different portfolios during his brothers govt, how can he be a president. We are coming there at State house, Kamuzu built that palace for real leaders like Chakwera only. Whether you want it or not Chakwera is coming there later or sooner get prepared. You will finish all heads… Read more »