Mzati, Mayaya defend APM on ‘nepotism’ charges
President Peter Mutharika, who has come under heavy accusations of nepotism and ethnicity favouritism in the way he has selected his cabinet and some public appointments, has received backing by social commentator Mzati Mkolokosa and human rights activist Billy Mayaya,
Critics accuse Mutharika of practising nepotism by giving top positions in government to people from his southern region, loyalists and his tribesmen.
They argue that the new appointments and cabinet has exposed rationalistic agenda of the DPP-led administration.
Nkolokosa a former senior news analyst at state broadcaster Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), said that conclusions that Mutharika’s cabinet is regionalist are done “out of emotions, [and] not thoughtfulness.”
He said that “our challenge is that politicians have been joining parties on regional basis.
“The majority from the centre are in MCP. If Chakwera were president, who would he have appointed from the South? Let us be fair and fairness means being practical, seeing life as it is not as it should have been.
“The majority from the north are in PP. So, too, the majority from the South are in DPP. But DPP is better because it came out little more national than the rest of the parties,” Nkolokosa wrote on his Facebook page.
And rights activist Mayay said there is “no empirical evidence to show that the inclusion of more ministers from one region can affect development.”
The previous DPP government led by Mutharika’s brother, late Bingu wa Mutharika, also faced widespread criticism on nepotism.
Many people who spoke to Nyasa Times said Mutharika and his DPP could do well to listen to this free advice instead of continuing to display the “executive arrogance” that Malawians have now come to detest.
In the Nationals Assembly, Member of Parliament (MP) for Mzimba West Harry Mkandawire, expressed fear that Muthatika’s nepotism will plunge the country into untold misery.
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