State House must verify things before going public: Don’t embarrass President Chakwera

In Nyasa Times editorial last week, we saluted Sate House Director of Communication Sean Kampondeni and press secretary Brian Banda for the Weekly Briefing initiative.

Kampondeni: Misinformation on Monday

We hailed the initiative because we see it as an important avenue for the public to be reliably informed with regards to what the presidency is up to.

However, we are shocked with the recent Monday briefing which, to be honest, was defined by series of misleading information that left the public disturbed and misinformed.

We heard, from Pastor Kampondeni, that President Lazarus Chakwera would be meeting two senior executive members of the United Democratic Front, Mr Kandi Padambo and Mr Lance Mbewe.

Later, we saw a correction that the engagement is not with the UDF Secretary General alone, but an ongoing engagement with the Secretaries-General of various parties that together represent the Centre for Multiparty Democracy—as such, it should also be noted that Mr. Mbewe is not part of that engagement.

Not only that.

We also heard from Pastor Kampondeni that President Chakwera met in camera with Leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa at Parliament building and also discussed national matters on Thursday.

The meeting, said Kampondeni, followed the debate in parliament when the President answered questions from lawmakers.

However, opposition leader of Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa told the media that he did not hold a meeting with Chakwera as indicated by Kampondeni.

Nankhumwa said he only bid the President goodbye alongside the rest of Parliament leadership following Thursday’s appearance in Parliament by the President to answer questions from members of the house.

It wouldn’t be too much to ask: What the hell is going on at State House?

We want to believe that the State House is a high office and you don’t expect its bearers to be going public with unverified information.

We expect Kampondeni  as Chakwera’s spin doctor and his lieutenant  Brian Banda to verify everything before going public. The gaffes and errors witnessed on Monday are shocking and, frankly speaking, they are embarrassing and must be not tolerated.

We must underline here that if Kampondeni and Banda don’t have anything substantial to share with the public, it is imperative they remain quiet and leave Chakwera to run this country.

We want to believe that the two have addressed circumstances that led to the said gaffes. Let’s spare this embarrassment to our President.

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DKC 2000
DKC 2000
3 years ago

This thing of reporting unverified information is deliberate. It started with the President himself when he said DPP Government embezzled about K3 trillion yet he was quoting an audit qerry report which was still waiting for aresponse from the affected MDAs. Fake news is all over social media. Government tolerates it and its governance institutions like ACB and Police acknowledged that they use the fake news to arrest DPP sympathisers. Its time you stopped tolerating unverified news at all levels no matter who is affected.

Kanchenga
Kanchenga
3 years ago

My sincere suggestion is to do a monthly brief not a weekly. With the polical turmoil over, there will hardly be any news to brief the Nation on. We will end up with gossip from state house corridors. Should anything worth reporting to thr nation come up a special briefing can be arranged.

Alex mgeni
Alex mgeni
3 years ago

This should not be a weekly thing. Pliiiiiz. Atleast mwina fortnightly! We cant be tuning to this every week. We have important things to do as well. Zachamba basi.

Gadaga
Gadaga
3 years ago

Ma cadet musatibowe. Gogo wanu uja was never even close to this level of transparency. Useless arguments. You want to make a case without one. Stupid APM amadziwa chani?

You Me
You Me
3 years ago

How much does each brief cost? What is their value to the poor Malawian? Will these people have real issues to communicate to Malawians each week?
Osamangochita ngati a VP zomangolemba pa Facebook?

Zio ine
Zio ine
3 years ago

In fact the whole team that Chakwera hired for press is a complete misfit. Knowing how to speak does not imply somebody knows the job. The danger of employing relation is that you can not reprimand them when they are wrong.
As for Brian Banda’ I am not sure why Chakwera opted for this media corrupt baron. Twice he was sent packing at times. People were saying Times can not survive if he leaves now that he has left why is times functioning.

Medson
Medson
3 years ago
Reply to  Zio ine

Indeed brian banda is corrupt guy

Felix Thawani
Felix Thawani
3 years ago

Kkkkkkkk they will improve

Mpakateni
3 years ago

Leave them alone, they are expeirmenting. They should have learnt how many Press Secretaries have left the White House. It is not easy to speak on behalf of someone.

mkamwini
mkamwini
3 years ago
Reply to  Mpakateni

The pastor should just work not participate in politics of lying. if he has limitation akaphuzire kulankhula za nzeruko. Kazako adaphuzira bwanji? Osamaderera kumalemekeza maphuziro. akakuchotsani muluza ndi banja lomwetu apa.

Justice for all
Justice for all
3 years ago

Well articulated article this is a serious office need to verify before publicize

Kambewa Ngozo
3 years ago

Foseki
We all do make mistakes

James Chenga
James Chenga
3 years ago
Reply to  Kambewa Ngozo

Indeed. These ppl just want to attack and not build. This is a grat initiative and should be encouraged by all Malawians comq tawonani zintu zikunenedwa.

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