Mutharika’s military aide fired over ‘appointments’: Malawi President ‘unaware’

March 4, 2015 Nyasa Times Reporter 112 Comments

Controversy at State House surrounds the dismissal on Tuesday of President Peter Mutharika’s aide-de-camp (ADC), Fostino Gunda Phiri, whom insiders reveal got the chop without the knowledge of his boss, the Head of State.

ADC sent back to barracks
ADC sent back to barracks
Mutharika did not know his ADC was in bad books with Ben Phiri
Mutharika did not know his ADC was in bad books with Ben Phiri
On the move; The aide- de camp leading President Mutharika
On the move; The aide- de camp leading President Mutharika

“He was ordered to surrender and handover all State House items in his possession to the Guard Commander. It was the President’s Personal Assistant (PA), Ben Phiri, who made the order, rather surprisingly,” said a member of Mutharika’s security detail at Kamuzu Palace in the Capital City, Lilongwe.

He told Nyasa Times in an interview the President’s PA and the ADC seem to crossed paths over the presidential diary.

The ADC is responsible for arranging appointments for the President and that there seems to have been disagreements between the two over who should or should not meet President Mutharika, according to the security officer, who pleaded for anonymity.

“Ben Phiri called the Chief of Staff (Peter Mukhito) to his office upstairs and informed him that the services of the ADC are no longer required at State House.

“He told the Chief of Staff, the President does not want to see him again,” said the security officer, adding that Mukhito carried out the order on Tuesday, March 3 only to discover a day later that the President never sacked his ADC.

“The President was confused when the Chief of Staff informed him about the matter. It is not clear what the President’s decision will be after this seemingly breach of protocol. But one thing is for sure, Ben Phiri and the ADC cannot work together again,” he said.

The security official also alleged that the transfer of the former Guard Commander, Duncan Mwapasa from State House to Police Headquarters was also instigated by the President’s PA. Mwapasa is now Deputy Inspector General.

“In terms of rank, Mwapasa is now more senior than when he was Guard Commander. However, the privileges that come with being a Guard Commander for the Head of State are quite enormous benefits. Given a chance, Mwapasa could have chosen to remain at State but the most powerful am in government Ben Phiri insisted he must go,” he claimed.

The sacked ADC will return to the Army Barracks where he holds the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel. He was Security Attaché at Malawi’s High Commission in Zambia before he was hired as President Mutharika’s ADC.

The ADC could not be reached for his comment while both Phiri and Mukhito could not pick calls when Nyasa Times sought their comment.

But MDF spokesman confirmed Phiri is back at the barracks.

“I can confirm that Lieutenant Colonel Phiri is no longer with State House. He has been recalled to MDF to carry out other duties,” said MDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Francis Kakhuta-Banda.

However, Kakhuta-Banda could not give the reasons for Gunda-Phiri’s removal from State House, only saying the Army Commander saw it necessary to recall and assign him to other duties.

Meanwhile, President Mutharika’s Executive Secretary has also been relieved of his job at Kamauzu palace.

According to sources at State House, Hilda Chapola was fired on Wednesday, March 4, 2015.

She has been redeployed to Ministry of Health. Reasons for her transfer are unknown.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Follow us in Twitter

112 replies on “Mutharika’s military aide fired over ‘appointments’: Malawi President ‘unaware’”

  1. Leave Ben Phiri alone. The only man who stood by APM munthawi yamavuto. We straggled to build the dpp u see today coz pipo run away frm us wen Bingu died. Kwa iye ali true dpp akudziwa bwino ubwino wa Ben Phiri he’s ahardworker, God fearing and above all royal to the dpp family. Olo mumunene motani bt Ben is the strong man.

  2. Who the hell is this Ben Phiri. These are drunken bastards who run the country affairs like the affairs of their backyard

  9. This is clearly the works of atidyenawo aiming at tarnishing my image kuti iwowo atenge mpando. APM is not like the rest that goes on rewarding atidyenawo, recycled politicians who clearly have no royalty, dignity, morals. these are the same people that defected even before we buries the late president Ngwazi Prof Bingu Wa Mutharika . what a shame. this time you will never see State house through ukapilikoni as you have always done before.

  12. Leave Ben alone infact we should give this guy Prime minster position. Mwana anagwirantchito uyu

  13. Inu A Patrick Banda, Mwati Ben Phiri Akafuna Kuphedwa Chifukwa Cha Peter? Ndiye Bodza Limenelo,zimene Zija Zinachitika Chifukwa Cha Carelessness Yake After All Wht Type Of Security Can Ben Give To Peter Munthu Wa Certificate In Theology Zikugwilizana Ndi Security?A President Mukudana Ndi Azibale Anu Mwakonda Adela? Less Than A Yr On That Position Mudzawafuna Chibale Ndi Chipswela

  16. On 20th May 2014 Malawians chose Arthur Peter Mutharika as President. they did not choose Ben Phiri or Chisale or let alone Peters wife. But the chose Peter Basi. They believed he was responsible enough to hold the office of the Presidency. Meaning no one, not even a person he hang out with for 10 years though thick and thin should hold the Presidency to Ransom.16 Million Malawians call PETER: THE PRESIDENT. He is the President of 16 Million Malawians Not Ben Phiri or Chisale. Infact the fact of the matter is that if something happened to these people it will be news on Nyasa Times and maybe Nation and daily times if they are lucky and that will be all. BUT THE COUNTRY WILL GO ON AS NORMAL. It is GLOBAL standard practice for a head of State to be surrounded by PROFESSIONAL SECURITY DETAIL controlled by the army Commander and the Inspector General of Police not some Fly by night people. A small boy like Ben Phiri who has a certificate in theology from some unknown place and who cannot even write a paragraph of policy paper should not have the business to hold a head of state to ransom. The President should not be insecure that the only times he feels big is when he is with a nobody like Ben Phiri. Nobody gives a toss about that boy. If the President freezes him out he will be forgotten in 2 minutes and life in Malawi will go on. Mr President this boy should not make you choose between him and 16 Million Malawians. Its a non starter. Get rid of him; don’t feel you owe him something; you don’t. You owe 16 Million Malawians a good Presidency thats not clouded by an insecure zealot like Ben Phiri. You have our support like 200%.

  17. Zikuoneka ngati kuti tsopano mmlowa mmalo wa Kasambara ndi Ben Phiri. Ben wadzimveka mphamvu zoposa president. Zinalinso choncho nthawi ya a Kasambara, ngakhale kuti Iwo anachita nazo tsoka mpakana kukapezeka ku mikuyu maximum – within two years.

  18. zikomo APM poyamba za reform ku State House. Time for ADC’s are over. If you look around, it is only stupid African leaders who are maintaining the prestige of having a full senior military officer acting as ADC’s for them; their roles fixing appointments-actually nodding to the appointments, showing the President where to step, holding the umbrella for the President to protect him from the sun and the showers of rain, carrying chola cha a President. This in return makes the military officer dull and a political attachee. Zikomo APM for taking this bold decision. Valet wakunyumba ndiwokwanila leave the senior officers to be at the barracks not holding umbrellas and opening doors for the President. Malawi Army or Malawi Mkomya?

  19. Ben Phiri hired anthu ambiri oti ndi abale ake ku State House and ensured that abale a President like Frank Salanjira,Chimwemwe Kajawo,Dalitso Kajawo,Patrick Mmodzi kukhala away from the President and surrounded himself and APM with azibale a Ben Phiri.He is one cruel guy and APM if he is being hated,it’s because of Ben Phiri.Mukhito,cabinet ministers and the VP have no powers.Chisale is another Mogul who is the power behind the throne.Mwapasa amadanae naye and most of loyalists amwapasa have been transfered.

  20. the problem is with the president himself.people including ministers have been complaining about the behavior of ben phiri but he has choose not listen.today i hear tea party movement is being formed within DPP to teach him a good lesson come 2018 party indaba.i m told ben phiri and norman chisale are the ones controlling him.they tell him what to do.clearly it shows peter mutharika is very weak.

  21. leave Ben alone. He is a freedom fighter. I agree with statehouse staff, there also Saonda in town, he claims to be peters nephew and now goes aournd milking people using peters name, why you stupid lomwes, bravo Ben

  22. Chimene mukulimbana ndi Ben Phiri ndi chiani? Munali kuti a Bongololo inu pamene Ben Phiri amavutika ndi Professor. Ben is the architect of the Brand APM. Ben ankafuna kuphedwa inu muli phee!!! Inu mukufuna muoneke abwino lero? Aliyense akuchotsedwa chifukwa sali loyal kwa President basi? The President has the prerogative to chose amene akumufuna.. Bravo APM, fire atidyenawo onse…..

  24. Komanso ku State House kuli Norman Chisale, personal bodyguard wa bwana President yemwe akuwabera amwenye ndalama koopsya. Kuba kwake akumagwirizana ndi Roza Mbilizi, Deputy Commissioner General wa MRA kuti amwenye ena asamalipile msonkho ndipo akatero akumagawana ndalama zakubazo. Agalu amenewa alemera koopsya ndi ndala za amwenye. New revelations is that IG Kanyama was also under pressure from Ben Phiri and Norman Chisale. The two are alleged to have ordered IG Kanyama to give business to Asians running car rental business under the name OCEAN so to supply guns to Malawi Police Service, which Kanyama said NO!

  26. Komatu Ben simumutha agalu inu! Where were you when Ben was with Peter through thick and thin. Not even peters children were openly seen with him. All of you left him for the dead except for Gertrude, Ben and Chisale. Mufuna Kunena chani? Lero now that he is president you find Ben unsuitable? Professionals don’t look after the head of state. It’s those that are heartly loyal to him!! Peter is not like Enanu who damp people that stood by you just because mwaona oyenera kuposa iwo muli pabwino. Bwana Ben musamusiye enawa nda tidye nawo ngati a Ralph Kamoto!!! Akufuna akutoleni in the name of professionalism!!! Munya!!!!

  27. A D.MADAKIWA NAWONSO ANALI CHONCHO SIZACHILENDO IZI NTHAWI IZAKWANA OSADANDAULA AMALAWI ILI NDI DZIKO

  29. I agree with No. 28. The security bosses that wish the President well should advise him that something is a miss here. This man cannot just give himself powers which he shouldn’t have.

  31. Kamuzu anali wabwino koma Baba puludzu, lero ndi uyu peter ndiwabwino koma Ben. ILI NDI DZIKO ADZADZISIYA BOLA ADZAZISIYE ALI PABWINO NGATI TEMBO.

  35. THE PRESIDENT SHOULD ALSO PERFORM HIS MANAGEMENT OF THE KAMUZU PALACE AS WELL IN ADDITION TO MANAGING THE COUNTRY. OTHERWISE THINGS ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND. THAT’S WHY SERIOUS BUSINESS PEOPLE WILL NEVER ENGAGE THEIR RELATIVES NOT EVEN A BLOOD BROTHER. WE NEED PROFESSIONALS IN GOVERNMENT AND NOT BOOTLICKERS

  36. I think someone is all out to get even with Ben Phiri. Amalawi wake up we need to do away with NSANJE syndrome. Seriously you think people can get fired from such sensitive position without the knowledge of the authorities? Zinayamba ndi kale with Kamuzu when people made us believe that he Kamuzu had no knowledge of all atrocities MCP was subjecting us into. Wake up Malawi the president has all the powers.

  37. The power behind the throne…koma kumeneko. Reminds me of Sam Mpasu’s well-written essay on public reforms published in the Daily Times just a few days ago. It is high time Ben Phiri was shown the exit, because if Peter Mutharika will continue to sit on this ticking bomb, he may no live to finish his first five year term. READ MY LIPS!

  38. Sad story to us the Lichenyians. Dont worry brother FOSTINO. We are with you during this painfull Moment. Take your annual leave and come home. We are waiting for you.

  39. How can Ben Phiri remove two top body guards (Guard Commander & ADC) within a short space of time? He wants to put novice his cronies so that he can continue manipulating the president for his selfish greedy gains. So that the minority rights become majority rights. Mukhito is completely toothless. The worst is yet to come

  40. But who is Ben Phiri after all,in terms of his education background? are they blood related to the President or just friends before this moment,but hey there is time for every thing he is shining today,but days are being numbered.Why can’t he emulate from the people like Msosa who just retired recently i think Phiri witch craft too much no wonder see my name.

  41. A Ben Do U Know Malawi?Kunali Anzanu Kumeneko Anachokako Koma Anasiya Phazi Osati Mlomo,inu Mungadane Ndi Mwapasa? Mbambadi Dee Adzakupatsani Bail Nthawi Yina Ameneyo.Ndiye Musaiwale Paja Kumeneko Kuli Achina CARDIAC KOMANSO MIZIMU. TAKE CARE BEN!

  42. This report is aimed at tarnishing the good image of Ben Phiri. Ben Phiri cannot do anything without the Presidents go ahead. All is being sanctioned by the President. If people are not loyal don’t expect them to stay at State House. People who work at such institutions should respect the Appointing Authority. They don’t need to be doing their own things. If the President has used Ben Phiri to communicate the information that’s how he has liked it to be. I disagree that such a decision can be done without the Presidents knowledge. Hate him or like him Ben Phiri stood by APM during difficult times. Ambirinu munamuthawa APM.

  44. Kodi ndimangomva za ka Ben Phiri kamemeka n’kachiyani? Akudziona ngati ndani? Peter mwana ameneyu wakutolani. Ngati simuchitapo kanthu, ndithu mwapepera. Kathotholeni kameneka kakaone Bangwe

  46. Kodi Ben akuzitenga ngati ndani? Kamunthu aka kasatikwane ayi. Komatu dziwa kuti ukuononga ulendo wa Peter. Tisadane ndi Peter chifukwa cha iwe Ben. Ife DPP timayikonda koma tiyamba kuganiza zina chifukwa cha iwe. Nawonso kodi abwanawo when will be begin to be incharge than running the country through Ben Phiri? Next, Ben will assassinate you and take over

  47. I think the president and the whole nation doesn’t know the role of the PA who is not on governments pay roll and should not be so I remain to wonder why is he (Ben Phiri) always with the president on every official visit even abroad and who pays his costs????????? We must be sleeping as as nation.

  48. inuuuu contract ya Ben is the same as ya Chief Secretary in Government. As of late mwamuonapo Saulos Chilima in public after the launch of reformation? Pali amene wafunsa? Ben phiri ndi Prime minister ngati simumadziwa. he is the guy running this Government now if we start to allow people who have no mandate to start governing then soon Malawi will be in a state of anarchy. if we allow this hiring and firing to continue without proper channels one day we shall come to realize that we were cheated and governed by a person who had no mandate.

    uthenga kwa Ben you may win battles but I doubt if you will ever win the war.

  50. Chingolopiyo you are talking. Ena akungobwebweta with no evidence. Do you think BP can do something like fire ADC? Do you think APM sanakambirane naye? Mwangomuda BP chifukwa APM amamukonda mumafuna mukanakhala inuyo. Ben do your job of protecting APM and removing onse amene you are suspicious about. Hon. BP timakunyadirani mwana wangono koma wodalirika…

  51. Iwe Ben dziwa kuti chouluka chidzater.Wakhala iwe kutera komanso mwina siudzatera koma KUMBOFYOKA.

  52. Having read the article I must say I am disappointed firstly by the writer of the story again by the many that have commented on the article. Malawians lets for once take of Nsanje for once and use our brains , where is the merit to this story? Was Mwapasa fired? Sure? Every police officers goal is at some point to become an inspector General, one gets a promotion you want to demonise Ben. Was Malopa fired? Search Him , you will get him at state house doing his everyday and work . Does Ben have powers to fire anyone NOT at all.

  53. Does this suggest APM is too weak to lead the country? It seems his aids are the guys in real control of the country! I bemoan APM’s inability to handle issues as small as ” Academic freedom”. Clever Ben has a real jocker here!

  54. Big up Chingolopiyo u have made a precision hit on the nail, by the way did u see how Ben Phiri stood in front of Peter Mutharika inspecting him, straightened his necktie, shirt collar and jacket when he alighted his vehicle during the pass out of the prison warders at Kamuzu Stadium? I thought it was out of order bcoz the President was with his wife! Now I believe the rumour!

  55. Mkazi amakhala ndi mphamvu pajatu. Inu simukudabwa kuti APM salankhula kanthu pa za Ben Phiri…….time is the master

  57. Thank God
    nobody said an Asian Is involved
    Cos eventually it all come down to that!

    Shame on us who call ourselves indigenous Malawians

    We are busy wasting time creating color devides

    While our friends are pushing for unity drives and progressing

  60. Its firing, hiring, redeployment etc, thats d order of d day of ths govt, bt ths is 2015, n nothin tangible so far 2 shw. Mother malawi!

  61. A phiri imwe , lekani kusuzga wana wa Malawi , ichi ni chalo , ask wadada john T , he was number 1 with Kamuzu B , pano busy kukanda danzi

  64. How can the whole ADC be sacked by a nobody? The problem here is not Ben but Peter.He is not in control of things.If Peter is failing to take charge of his own team at state house how can he take charge of the whole country? Search me?

  65. My advice to our passive president is that “please wake up from slumber and start making your own decision rather than letting this idiot Ben Phiri mislead you” mwatomva ambuye !!!!!!!!

  67. It shows that this president is failing to control some rogue elements in his administration. The president not being in charge means that we have a very dicey situation at hand!

  69. Koma Ben Phiri vuto ndi chani? Aliyense akukudandaula ngakhale ife a DPP amene timacheza nawe pambuyo. Kodi ukufina kuchita topple govt? Peter, why not show us who is in charge?

  70. Koma yes, this small mosquito called Ben Phiri is acting like some henchmen of some ruthless African dictator we have seen being butchered live out of state palaces by the people

  71. A PP munatani kupheratu kachitsiru kameneka. Mr. President please act. Kapena ndi amene akusunga zithumwa zanu. Why are adamant?

  72. Much ado about nothing. What is it about Malawians that makes you think people should have jobs for life? Nobody has been fired, people have just been moved to other roles, in some cases even more senior roles. They’ll be replaced with others just as capable, so calm down and stop the barking.

  73. PEOPLE, YOU ARE NOT ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTION. THE QUESTION IS NOT WHETHER BEN PHIRI IS HARSH OR NOT, BUT RATHER WHERE DOES HE GET HIS AUTHORITY?

    1- ANYONE WHO FALLS OUT WITH HIM IS DONE….WE HAVE HEARD OF MALOPA, MWAPASA, THIS ADC AND COUNTLESS OTHERS.
    2- HE CAN EVEN FIRE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO JUMP IN FRON T OF THE PRESIDENT IN THE EVENT OF AN ATTACK, TAKING THE BULLET FOR THE PRESIDENT…
    3- I BET THE REACTION FROM THE PRESIDENT WILL BE NOTHING….
    WHICH BRINGS US TO SEVERAL POSSIBITIES….

    A- HE HAS SOMETHING ON THE PRESIDENT THAT STOPS THE PRESSIDENT FROM DOING ANYTHING AGAINST HIM, LETTING HIM GET AWAY WITH ANYTHING, HAS HIM BY THE `CAJONES` AS OUR SPANISH BROTHERS WOULD SAY;
    B- THERE IS ABOND BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND BEN PHIRI SO DEEP THAT NOONE CAN GET IN BETWEEN THEM, AND BEN CAN MAKE DECISIONS WHICH WOULD NORMALLY REQUIRE CONSULTING THE PRESIDENT, KNOWING THAT THERE WILL BE NO REPURCUSSIONS……..MUSOVA!!

  76. Shocking if this is true. The implications are massive, is our president really in control of our country? I didn’t know that the president would be incapacitated so soon!!! The later part of Kamuzu era revisited!!!

  77. I question the truth of this story. Who choose the ADC of the president? Ben Phiri is a mere personal sectary of the president and he is attached to the party DPP. Even Gunda Phiri should know that he cannot be removed without the Army Commander knowing the cause of his move. Mukhito to should know about it. If the story is to be believed, can the ADC be removed without the replacement and without the consent of the president. Is Ben going to choose who should be the ADC of the president? Much as I know that Ben is cunning enough , he can not do that. I know Fostino, he cannot go out without saying hello to the president,. The Army Commander is supposed to brief the president of the changes and obviously he will be interested to know why his ADC has been removed, even though is a procedural to replace state house staff. If Ben is stretching his wings beyond their limit, he will be out soon and it will not take a month.

  79. Zimachita kuoneka Ben Phiri amakhala pa mbuyo pa Peter instead of ADC,what type of security is that?

  80. The problem of having a President who is too old for the high office. It is increasingly evident that APM is not in control.

  81. The president should, this time around, show who is in control. Otherwise, the insane Ben Phiri is driving the country into a terrible situation. Mr. President, we are not jealous of this phiri up there, but as Malawians we feel he must feel what it means to be an ordinary man now.

  82. Mr Ben Phiri, must now becarefu cos all these enemies he is creating will come back to bite him no matter how long it might take. Peter Mutharika will never be there all the time to protect him. There is God out there it’s not fiction, it’s real & that day will certainly come for him to pay his dues.

  83. These words which are now the order of the day at state house “ I should not see him,” it’s becoming. A monster in action we are going back to the old Kamuzu time and if isn’t the president then please certain thing things are not fine there

  85. Security personnel MUST NOT be changed any how like underwear someone has pointed out this is dangerous to the president, one day we will here a sad news don’t take things for granted mind u Judas betrayed Jesus, Jonaphan Savimbi of Angola was killed by his own body guards becoz some feel infrior in the group so they wanted to punish those very close to him so watch out i love the president and this country.

  89. PETER BECAREFUL WITH THIS PHIRI. YOU WILL FALL BECAUSE OF HIM. HE IS AFTER SOMETHING. HE DOES NOT WISH YOU WELL. HE WANTS YOU TO FAIL RUNNING THIS COUNTRY. JUST SACK HIM FOR YOUR BETTERMENT.

  90. So it means this APM is still acting like a party president not state president how does he allow himself to mix with party zealots than those professionals like ADC etc

  92. This confirms the fact that the so called state president is weak. Amalamulidwa ndi chigawenga ben phiri. Fortunately ben phiri will soon be punished by God Himself.

  93. I Hope this time around personal doctor and medical equip is readily available; and there is fully furnished state-of-the-art ambulance to take somebody to KCH then to KIA.

  94. Who else, its the notorious Ben Phiri.

    Look for;
    -anything malicious,
    -anything vicious
    -anything spiteful
    ,-anything demonic

  96. Koma a Ben Phiri mwaonjeza kapena mukufuna upresident akusiyileni APM ? Posachedwa timamva zoti mwaopyeza macra kuti avomeleze kampane yina yama foni pano mwachotsa anzanu ku state house, ndinu otani?

  97. Timakunyadilani Rt. Hon. Ben Phiri, Prime Minister of the Republic of Malawi a moto.

    More fire.

  100. A Ben Phiri, kowuluka kamatera. Ena amati ukatamba tamba udziyang’ana Ku nyanja. Time is the master.

    Don’t consider yourself luckiest, untouchable, Mr know it all (Mr KIA), MUKUGWA SIKALESO. Think of Malemia in RSA?

    ULI NGWINDI NGATI AKUKU META. NZERU ULIBE

  105. Eshiiiii pena ntchito zili ku kamuzu palace so danger. How can state agance fire people like mulli group of company? Pena mr president think wise and remove those seround and dante ur emage

  109. Faustino, this boy Ben akukalasa makala otentha zedi. Aphya mwana ameneyu.

    Kodi kapena amasunga chithumwa cha APM?

  111. Now this is what we call in Legal Terms……A Damping Spree…..The Oppodite of a Drinking Spree….kkkkkkkkkkk

  112. Now people will believe me when I said nothing will change in this country even if you change leaders.
    This country is on auto pilot. The stench is so strong. Not in my name .

Comments are closed.