I am not tribalistic, says Mutharika
President Peter Mutharika yesterday dismissed assertions that he practises nepotism, stressing that he is not tribalistic and his Cabinet has no minister from Thyolo, his home district.
Without mentioning his critics, the President said he does not care where one comes from when appointing people to high positions because he believes in one Malawi.
Speaking on arrival in Mzuzu from Lilongwe yesterday, Mutharika said his Cabinet has four ministers from the Northern Region.
Said the President: “Some people say I only appoint people from the Southern Region, but my Cabinet has no minister from Thyolo while the North has four ministers in key positions.”
The President mentioned Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Grace Chiumia, Minister of Transport and Public Works Jappie Mhango and Deputy Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Clement Mkumbwa.
On newly-appointed Attorney General Charles Mhango, Mutharika said: “Mhango was selected on merit because he is one of the best lawyers in town.”
He also said that in the past week, he promoted some northerners who are officers in the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) while the current chief commissioner of Prison, Chief Justice and Anti-Corruption Bureau director general come from Nkhata Bay District in the region.
According to the President, 33 percent of the civil servants come from the Northern Region.
Earlier, Mutharika told the rally that his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is strong in the region.
On development projects, Mutharika said the region is expected to have an international airport constructed in Mzuzu while ground works on Mombera University in Mzimba are expected to start soon.
The President is in the region to commission the Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) Chitipa Water Supply Project and the controversial Mzimba Water Supply Project which has been marred by procurement blunders. n
