Mutharika says appointment into Cabinet not an honorary position: President refers to VP Chilima as ‘someone’

President Peter Mutharika on Friday hit back at his critics who argue that say the current Cabinet is unconstitutional since it doesn’t include Vice-President Saulosi Chilima , saying appointment into Cabinet is not an honorary position.

Chimulirenji being sworn in by clerk to Cabinet Marjorie Nlema, as his wife looks on-photo by Govati Nyirenda

Mutharika made the remarks at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Friday during swearing in of new Cabinet members that included Everton Chimulirenji, promoted from Deputy Minister of Defence to Minister of Civic, Education, Culture and Community Development; Charles Mchacha as Deputy Minister for Homeland Security, Amosi Mailosi as Deputy Minister of Defence and Welani Chilenga as Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining,

The Malawi leader dismissed those criticising his decision to leave out of the Cabinet his estranged deputy, saying there is nothing like sitting in Cabinet as an honorary position or as a matter of constitutional status but subscribing to the policies and agenda of the government of the day.

“We are here to collectively drive policies that should make a difference in the lives of Malawians. Therefore, you need to subscribe to the policies of this government. Either you are part of my Cabinet, or you are not part of my Cabinet, and that’s what is going to be,” said Mutharika.

The President, who avoided mentioning Chilima’s name, and kept referring to the Veep as ‘someone’,  said working in cabinet demands discipline and collective responsibility which he said must be shown and adhered to by all cabinet members.

According to Mutharika, who is a law professor, there is no need to include into Cabinet a person who does not subscribe to the policies of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government.

“Because we work on the principle of collective responsibility, you cannot sit on cabinet if you are not part of its agenda. Every cabinet has a policy agenda,” he said.

Mutharika said he has trust in everyone he has appointed and expects them to live up to the expectation of the people and serve Malawians with a patriotic spirit, integrity and hardwork.

He warned them against indulging in corrupt activities, but work towards safeguarding the public pulse by being transparent and accountable in their dealings.

“I would like to urge you to protect public resources and foster transparency and accountability. I appeal to you to desist from engaging in corrupt activities,” said Mutharika.

He added: “Corruption is an evil that must be fought out of our society. It is a collective responsibility of us all to fight corruption. Currently, our rate of corruption control is at 65 percent, according to Millennium Challenge Corporation [MCC] report just released this week. But we need to fight more. Join me in the fight.”

The law requires newly appointed Ministers and Deputy Ministers to be sworn in before they can discharge their functions.

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mtete
mtete
5 years ago

Now we know the truth. It is common knowledge that Mchacha’ s Trademark is spewing rubbish and, given a chance, embarrassing people, particularly women, at DPP rallies, most often with his spouse next to him. No doubt his Boss, APM, is very much aware of this. It, therefore, boggles your mind to hear APM appointed this Books Challenged Idiot to a relatively high post of deputy minister. Is it a case if ‘Birds of a Feather Flock Together’. Definitely cabinet will degenerate into a house of comedians. Scaring. Don’t you think?

Tizanka
Tizanka
5 years ago

APM just stating facts no name calling no innuendo. This man is way ahead of average Malawians IQ wise

BigMan
BigMan
5 years ago

A useless and demented Law Professor, making up his own laws as time runs out on his disastrous regime. I almost feel sorry for the fellow.

Shithole
Shithole
5 years ago

No body should be sympathetic with <Chilima for not being included in the Cabinet. Chilima has moved forward with his UTM and wants to Challenge APM on the ballot box in 2019. So Malawians should learn to comment and oppose in a realistic manner that is beneficial to the nation. If Chilima wants to form Government in 2019, he cannot be crying for any cabinet appointment. No Government can accept to appoint someone in Cabinet with totally opposing agenda of the same Government . Its not reasonable. Dont take us Malawians back to a period when SKC was being intimidated… Read more »

Clement
Clement
5 years ago
Reply to  Shithole

You are wrong check your facts before you write. Robert Gates (a Republican) Secretary of Defence under President George Bush was also appointed by President Obama a Democrat to the same post.. More at home Atupele Muluzi has served in DPP and PP governments.

Mavuto
Mavuto
5 years ago
Reply to  Clement

Robert gates was not the vice president

Vison
Vison
5 years ago
Reply to  Shithole

Why do you keep on showing your brutality on issues?. SKC does not need to be appointed by this so callled, ma….che, your boss. He is automatically part of the cabinet. Your Munthalika has no authority to appoint a vice president into the cabinet. Munthalika is full of jealousy.

Chib
5 years ago

I totally agree with the president!!!
1 disappearance of passports
2money fur the lift at Kia
3 145 million from the Asian friend
4 fake dyke
5 grace chiumia who failed to declare ….. her worthy
6 kachacha who does not democracy
Chilima can’t support you and it’s good to leave out

Clement
Clement
5 years ago
Reply to  Chib

I didn’t think I would ever hear a very sensible statement from this “Professor”. He is correct to say that the cabinet is only for those who ascribe to and promote the government of the day agenda. Chilima does not believe in nepotism, cronyisn, tribalism, thieving and corruption which this government and the ruling party is well known for. The President is correct to leave out from his Cabinet all those people who do not believe in these values of the government. This is the President’s own indictment of his government for being vindictive to those who have other views… Read more »

Alamu Pumani Mwakula kuba

Paja mkuluyu adasunga mtembo mpaka kupita nawo ku South Africa kufuna kuti atenge udindo kwa mtembowo. Tangoyesa kumwalira lero uwone zimene zidamchitikira JB.

UTM Guru
5 years ago

zaziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Gong Farmers
Gong Farmers
5 years ago

“. . . [O]ur rate of corruption control is 65% . . . .”! This is disgraceful! This is not a test where the passing grade is 50%. 95% and upwards might be considered acceptable.

Let us not forget the principle of collective responsibility. We have just been reminded of it by HE the P. They may not all be corrupt, but they are collectively responsible for the failure to control corruption.

In Darkness Democracy Dies
In Darkness Democracy Dies
5 years ago

Sadly Mutharika is right. If the VP does not support government policies he cannot be a member of Mutharika’s cabinet that is logical. But of course the tables could turn at a minutes once and all the political prostitutes would run to support Chilima if Mutharika were to meet the same fate as his brother Bingu and die before the next elections. At Mutharika’s. advance age and with the heart illness he is suffering from it makes totally good sense for Chilima the expert rigger to want to remain in office as VP. The man has every chance of seeing… Read more »

Alamu Pumani Mwakula kuba

Mau khokhokho. At 80, this man can die anytime. There is no guarantee. Even Masm imakana to insure the old like Alamu Pumani Mwakula.

Noxy
5 years ago

Ufititu umenewu only God knows who kiss the ground first.

Yosefe Mateyo
Yosefe Mateyo
5 years ago

Anyone can die including yourself and SKC. Haven’t you seen SKC with running nose and coughing throughout his speeches

Duli
Duli
5 years ago

What would then happen if Chilima died first? All fingers will point at DPP and APM despite the knowledge in public domain that it is the responsibility of He was Who gives life and skombingos.

Mbuzi
5 years ago

i believe there is some sense in the speach. Awiri sayenda njira imodzi asanapangane.

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