Mutharika ‘has been getting Satan’s counsel’
Malawians on Boxing Day hit back at President Bingu wa Mutharika’s Christmass national address to which he atributed “the works of the devil” to the economic turmoil that has hit the country in the 2011.
In a speech monitored on Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, Mutharika said: “Satana anatikhalira pamsana; anabweretsa njiru, kudana, mabodza ndi kaduka. [Satan oppressed us and brought envy, hatred, gossip and jealousy among us]. But God told him it is not his time and God has triumphed because 2012 promises even more blessings and peace for Malawi. God has not forsaken us.”
But private owned Capital FM on Boxing Day through its popural daily NewTalkinteractive phone-in programme asked listeners to make calls and critique the speech. People were also asked to post comments on Facebook.
During the programme, presenter Brian Banda disclosed that out of 54 contributions that were received via telephone calls, text messages and Facebook, there were 50 who criticised Mutharika and only four supported the President.
The majority of Malawians including known commentators faulted Mutharika for the country’s woes and said blaming Satan was misplaced.
A lecturer at Malawi’s Catholic University, Isaac Cheke Ziba, says Mutharika for his errors in judgement on the political front, socio-economic area, diplomatic and international relations, national front, legislative front “he has been getting Satan’s counsel (remember he said he is not Jesus)”.
Soften-up
Cheke Ziba advised Mutharika to “switch to taking counsel from Jesus and aspire to be like Jesus.”
He said Mutharika “should go back to the Catholic Bishop’s letter – Reading the signs of the times. He should go back to the Livingstonia Synod’s counsel, he should go back to the Malawi Council of Churches; he should go back to the Nkhoma Synod’s counsel – and he should go back to the counsel of many citizens and Civil Society. He should also go back to the councel of international institutions like IMF.”
Cheke Ziba advised Mutharika to stop being combative, dictatorial and arrogant.
“He should start taking steps to repair the damage. He should take a critical view of himself and his leadership style and soften up.”
The political commentator said under Mutharika’s watch this country is bended on its knees and the “people are suffering. Let him smell and taste the coffee.”
Jephter Mwanza commented said Mutharika was correct to blame Satan but noted that the devil “ works through people by deceiving them. So the Presdient better tell us who Satan has deceived for us to have such problems. I personally feel Satan has been working with cabinet.”
In his take, Latima Boston Mbewe said : “Bingu should not forget that at one time he said that he is not Jesus Christ as such we don’t have to expect him acting as God.To me this was a denial of God’s intevention in the Affairs of the State and hence a blasphemy!”
Emmanuel Mzembe criticised Mutharika for blaming others for the woes and demanding to take credit on good things only.
“When the economy was doing well during his first term in office all the successes were attributed to him and never did he say things were working because of Jesus rather he happily accepted responsibility. Why making Satan a scapegoat now? Bingu has failed and he should resign,” wrote Mzembe.
Sermon-like speech
In his speech, Mutharika called for forgiveness, reconciliation and unity among all Malawians to bring lasting solutions to the forex and fuel shortages
“Let us all work together in finding solutions regardless of our political, religious and tribal affiliations. We are all Malawians from one parent, Malawi. We should leave our selfish interests aside and work together towards developing Malawi and its interests without discrimination,” said Mutharika.
He said government will soon provide an outline of how they intend to permanently solve the economic crisis.
Despite his administration working tirelessly to impress the donors by addressing concerns of governance and human rights, Mutharika said it is time Malawi, as soveriegn state, stopped dancing to donors’ tune.
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