United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Muluzi has torn into the current and other post multiparty governments for not initiating programmes that would bring economic freedom.
He said this during whistle-stop tours he conducted in five constituencies in Chiradzulu on Sunday meant to explain the significance of putting in power fresh blood.
Atupele’s remarks come against the background of Malawi’s intent to celebrate 50 years of independence this year and the holding of the first-ever tripartite polls on May 20.
“We don’t want people that jump ship anyhow because they ruin the economy of the country. They have been there since 1994 and they are the ones who confuse the President. We want this to stop,” he said.
Atupele said this is why Malawians fail to enjoy other freedoms coupled with what he called cases of secrecy at Capital Hill.
“What happens is that funds in government coffers benefit the same people who have been in politics since 1994. There is little that trickles down to the rural masses,” he said.
According to Atupele, there is need to remove the secrecy on expenditure by the authorities, saying taxpayers need to be updated on how their money is used.
“Secrecy leads to corruption as is the case with the looting of public funds at Capital Hill which has now led to shortage of drugs and continued delayed salaries of civil servants,” said Atupele.
He further said UDF would ensure that people have money in their pockets by revamping economy, labour and agriculture for increased production and job creation.
“Not only that; our policy will be to reduce the price of fertiliser for any person willing to venture into agriculture affords fertiliser,” he said.
Atupele said that Malawians need to emulate only good things from previous leaders such as Bakili Muluzi and Bingu wa Mutharika.
