I’ll arrest, fire corrupt ministers—APM
President Peter Mutharika has warned Cabinet ministers against corruption, saying they will be arrested, tried and—if found guilty—get fired and jailed.
The President issued the warning during the swearing-in ceremony for newly hired Cabinet ministers at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Thursday.
He said: “Desist from corrupt activities, otherwise the long arm of the law will catch up with anybody involved in the malpractice.”
Those sworn in were promoted Jappie Mhango (Information, Tourism and Civic Education), Dr Peter Kumpalume (Health) and the Reverend Malison Ndau (Deputy, Defence). They were engaged in Monday’s Cabinet reshuffle that saw former ministers Trasizio Gowelo (Local Government and Rural Development) and Paul Chibingu (Lands, Housing and Urban Development) dropped.
Stressed Mutharika: “Corruption is a menace to society and deprives State government of the limited resources for development…. Please lead by example in the fight against corruption.”
He said in his search of a minister to appoint into his Cabinet, he looks for “professional, committed and capable individuals who will help me achieve my government’s agenda”.
The President said he expects the ministers to help him find solutions to the many socio-economic woes Malawians are facing, so that the people are transformed from poverty to prosperity, as his government promised before taking over power.
Speaking to reporters later, the ministers said they hope to do their utmost in ensuring better service delivery to Malawians in their different ministries. n
