Lazarus Chakwera dared on Cabinet overhaul
Barely eighteen months in power, three of President Lazarus Chakwera’s Cabinet ministers have been embroiled in alleged corruption and abuse of power cases, prompting some sections of the society to ask the President to overhaul his Cabinet.
The calls come in light of allegations against Lands, Housing and Urban Development Minister Kezzie Msukwa, who the Anti-Corruption Bureau accuses of allegedly receiving money and a Mercedes Benz from Zunneth Sattar in exchange for a piece of land in Lilongwe and Salima.
Two other ministers who were embroiled in alleged namely Ken Kandodo and Newton Kambala, respectively, were fired from their positions. abuse of office and corruption,
Catholic University of Malawi Department of Political Leadership Head, Chimwemwe Kandodo, said it was the opportune time for Chakwera to review the composition of his Cabinet.
He said recent events surrounding Cabinet ministers had the potential to distract the President from advancing his development agenda.
“What I can say to the President is that this is a good time for him to reshuffle the Cabinet. There are so many people out there who can help him. Otherwise, his image will continue being tarnished each day,” she said.
Similarly, Mzuzu Youth Anti-Corruption Movement Team Leader Mathews Kajani said Cabinet positions required integrity.
He also said the current administration should entrench the culture of conducting quarterly lifestyle audits on Cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
“We believe that the audits are a fundamental accountability tool that can help Malawi not only detect but also prevent corruption.
We also demand that the government should adopt and apply a strict code of conduct on Cabinet ministers and all government officials holding positions of responsibility,” Kajani said.
Presidential Press Secretary Anthony Kasunda reiterated what Chakwera has been saying, to the effect that he would not shield anyone from the long arm of the law.
Kasunda said the President’s vetting of potential candidates for Cabinet before he appoints them is thorough.
“But the President is also wise enough to know that the appointment of good and qualified candidates as ministers does not guarantee that they will maintain their track record of high performance and integrity, which is why His Excellency is constantly evaluating his ministers to correct any emerging instances of compromise.
“And when taking the necessary corrective measures, the President continues to fulfil his promise of not shielding anyone from the law, because the Anti-Corruption agenda that agencies like the Anti- Corruption Bureau are pursuing is, in fact, President Chakwera’s agenda, for it is he who appointed the heads of agencies like the ACB to enforce the law and be part of an inter-agency coalition of anti-corruption fighters who work together to root out the vice wherever it is found,” he said.
