President Lazarus Chakwera says his administration has so far laid a strong foundation for institutions to operate independently in terms of governance and fighting corruption.
The President said this in a CNN interview aired on Monday night when asked on the progress he has made a year and three months after winning the court-sanctioned fresh presidential election held on June 23 2020.
But Leader of Opposition in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa yesterday said that Chakwera needed to match what he says with the reality on the ground.
Speaking to CNN, the President said his nine political-party administration is also striving to observe the rule of law and ensuring that things are done the right way.
He said: “We believe that we are making good progress in following the rule of law by making sure that we do not do things willy-nilly but following what the law says.
“So, it may appear to some people that we are too slow but we are very meticulous.”
A m o n g o t h e r s , Chakwera said since his administration was ushered into office, the country ’s courts have been left to work in an independent manner, free from any political interference.
He also said his administration has managed to help Malawians that are struggling due to Covid-19 through provision of cash transfers which has been enhanced.
But Chakwera distanced himself from being nepotistic on the appointment of his daughter, Violet, to a diplomatic mission. He said that while he appoints ambassadors and their deputies, lesser positions are appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The President said he was surprised why there was a fuss about his daughter’s diplomatic appointment, but there was no issue when he crisscrossed the country with her during the campaign trail.
And speaking to Zodiak Broadcasting Station on Sunday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Eisenhower Mkaka confirmed that Chakwera’s daughter was indeed appointed to a diplomatic mission.
He said: “The truth of the matter is that maybe she has been appointed on a lower position to one of the diplomatic missions like a Malawian, but not that the President came and directed me to make the appointment because that was what was being said out there.”
But while saying that Chakwera cannot deny that his adminstration practices nepotism, Nankhumwa said the President has generally been slow which is appalling to Malawians.
He said: “Some things need decisive leadership and speed. You can’t have a leader that promises another thing and does things to the contrary.
“Malawians want to see things getting done and not go round in circles. Look at how the Cabinet assessments are being handled, how assuring can that be to Malawians?”
In a separate interview, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency executive director Willy Kambwandira said the President’s rhetoric on corruption needs to be matched with actions and not just contradictions.
He said: “For example, in terms of independence, nothing has changed in terms of the law. The President still has the appointing powers as stipulated in Section 5 of the Corrupt Practices Act and the Anti- Corruption Bureau [ACB] still has to seek consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions [DPP].”
