APM maintains team in reshuffle

President Peter Mutharika last evening reshuffled his Cabinet and, among others, made former Minister of Transport and Public Works Malison Ndau government spokesperson replacing Patricia Kaliati.

While maintaining his 20-member Cabinet, the President moved around five of his ministers and two deputy ministers, formed new portifolios and disbanded Sports as a stand-alone portifolio.

According to a statement from Chief Secretary to the Government George Mkondiwa, 13 ministers, including Mutharika as Minister of Defence and Vice-President Saulos Chilima as Minister Responsible for Disaster and Relief Management and National Public Events, have maintained their posts.

Kaliati has been moved to the newly created Ministry of Civic Education, Culture and Community Development whereas Ndau now heads what is called Ministry of Information and Communications Technology.

Sports, previously headed by Grace Chiumia now Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, has been moved to Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development with Henry Mussa retained at the helm.

Chiumia replaced Jappie Mhango who is now Minister of Transport and Public Works.

In the new Cabinet, the President has also introduced a deputy minister at Home Affairs and Internal Security filled by Aggrey Masi who was appointed in April, Deputy Minister of Defence. His post has been filled by Vincent Ghambi, formerly Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology, a position that has since been scrapped off.

Mutharika last reshuffled his Cabinet in April this year when Allan Chiyembekeza, former Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, was dropped.

This was the fifth reshuffle since the President assumed office in May 2014.