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I am not nepotistic—Mpinganjira

Mpinganjira (C) takes oath of office as his wife (L) looks on
Mpinganjira (C) takes oath of office as his wife (L) looks on

Veteran politician Brown Mpinganjira has denied reports that he is nepotistic, saying the country is going to judge his work.

Mpinganjira said this following his appointment as Minister of Irrigation and Water Development.

President Joyce Banda on Wednesday reshuffled her Cabinet which saw Professor Peter Mwanza [Agriculture and Food Security], Richie Muheya [Irrigation and Water Development] Jennifer Chilunga [Climate Change Management] and deputy ministers Chimango Mughogho [Transport and Public Works] and Augustine Mtendere [Local Government and Rural Development] being shown the exit door.

When he was in Cabinet in the first democratically-elected United Democratic Front (UDF) from 1994, particularly when he was minister of Information, Broadcasting, Posts and Telecommunications, Mpinganjira was accused of being nepotistic for allegedly facilitating the recruitment of people from his home area.

Asked to comment on fears that his appointment means more nepotism in government, Mpinganjira, in an interview on Wednesday, described such critics as detractors.

“Those are just detractors. Wait for about six months then bring that question. I am not nepotistic,” he said.

Mpinganjira, one of the pioneers of multiparty democracy in the country, helped to form the UDF and moved to various portfolios that included Education and Transport.

He later fell from grace and was fired from the party.

Mpinganjira later formed National Democratic Alliance (NDA) which contested the 2004 polls.

During the 2009 general elections, Mpinganjira lost his Mulanje Central Constituency seat to Kondwani Nankhumwa.

 

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