For Mutharika, by virtue of the office he holds on trust, every Malawian is a member of his immediate family. Most citizens, no matter how sharp their policy differences may be with Mutharika, care about the President.
Malawians, therefore, deserve to know where their President is, what he is doing, the objectives of the trips he takes and when to expect him in the country.
In fact, no employee can leave the office without informing his or her employers, otherwise, a disciplinary hearing awaits them on return.
It is not too long ago when Mutharika told Malawians he was going to Australia for a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. From that meeting, the Presidentâ€â€for all we knewâ€â€disappeared into thin air only to dramatically return with claims he went on leave.
And those who speak for him and his government must be ashamed of themselves every time they open their mouths to give half-truths about the President’s whereabouts.
When asked to confirm reports that Mutharika had flown out of the country on Tuesday, Information and Civic Education Minister Patricia Kaliati insisted the Head of State was around. His spokesperson Hetherwick Ntaba said he had no idea about the matter.
Then on Wednesday, a picture surfaced on a Nigerian State House website showing Mutharika being welcomed by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday.
If government and presidential spokespersons can lie about such strategic events as the whereabouts of the Head of State, how can Malawians trust them when they open their mouths to communicate other serious issues?
This trend must stop. The administration cannot continue to take Malawians for granted, especially when they are the ones footing the bills. Government must be accountable.
