Malawi ex-Speaker Chimunthu refuses ministerial post in Mutharika’s Cabinet
Former Speaker of Parliament Henry Chimunthu Banda has delivered a major snub to President Peter Mutharika by turning down a ministerial post in his new-look government.
Mutharika on Thursday appointed Chimunthu Banda as Minister of Natural Resources and Mining.
But the former Speaker on Friday said he will not be taking up the post, saying he was not consulted and only learnt about it in the media.
The former Speaker—who once served the ruling governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as its secretary general—confirmed he communicated the decision to the appointing authority through the Office of President and Cabinet.
According to Chimunthu Banda, the letter also contained his appreciation for being considered for the post, though he would not be taking the offer.
“I was not informed. Probably if I had that prior information, I could have best made my excuse at that particular point but no, I was not informed,” Chimunthu Banda said.
The former secondary school headteacher however said he remains a member of the governing DPP as its legislator.
Mutharika appointed a new Cabinet incorporating members of the United Democratic Front (UDF) – a partner of his own DPP —and drafted in Chimunthu Banda to try to broaden his popular appeal.
In the new cabinet, Mutharika kept the bulk of his former cabinet drawn from his DPP but has brought on board an independent lawmaker Kamlepo Kalua to head Ministry of Lands and three legislators UDF and their leader Atupele Muluzi – the son of former president Bakili Muluzi.
In a landmark ruling last month the Constitutional Court ordered the holding of fresh presidential poll within 150 days, but Mutharika is attempting to quash the fresh election.
In fact Kutsaira was better than Chimunthu Banda the traitor. I wish Kutsaira was retained.
Another negative record for APM! He never performed as a minister during his late brother’s rule, failed miserably to tackle the UNIMA strike, tried to wrestle power from JB when his late brother died but failed miserably. For the first time in our history a Presidentialelection has been nullified! Now for the first time again in Malawian history a President is snubbed after appointing someone a minister! Bravo Kaka…teach the Mtchona etiquette! You dont just wake up and appoint people without consulting them! As for Atupele..this boy cannot survive without being in the cabinet! He is a bootlicker not fit… Read more »
Can someone please tell us the Job Description of the Past Speaker who, in the eyes of many, is receiving a fat salary plus lucrative benefits for doing nothing?
I applaud Kaka Banda for not being greedy. Even if it were myself, I would have maintained my pension purse and indeed let someone with no divided interests take up the appointment. That is what is expected of a normal person. All the crap coming from other corners is nonsense for it doesn’t carry weight at all.
Haa
tingodikila kaye, tione komwe cikatulukile cimunthu ci
What an embarrassment to the senile old man….. and what more evidence do Malawians need to believe that this old man is a dictator.
How on earth can he just appoint someone to be a minister without consulting with them first…..only dictators have the audacity to do just that.
APM thinks that since many Malawians are struggling financially, there is absolutely no one who can turn down a ministerial position….. Well, think again Mr president because some people are just poor on the outside but rich on the inside, rich with wisdom and Chimunthu has taught you that lesson today.
Peter Muthalika is a stupid fool idiot mbuzi, galu wachabe chabe who do he think he is. Ngati akulamulira mbava zinzhake asamitinso ife iyayi please warn him we are going to slaughter like mbuzi
Iwe, you need to be careful. You can be tracked easily. You can’t impose a death threat on the president thinking you can’t be found where ever you are. Mwalowatu a Israel intelligence Muno, tsamala.
Galu ndiwe, chitsiru. Mxieeeww
Comment responsibly, much as it’s your right but responsibility is also important. Humanity and spiritual is also too more important. You are worse than Mutharikas himself. You need to know God
This just shows how dysfunctional APM is……….ndipatseni madzi ndingakomoke ine kikikikikikikikikikiki
Please Chimunthu tell us the reason! But you showed us, that we have still a few Politicians with principaled character! What a lapsus APM! Not even your best, proven men in your own party want to work with you! Gluelessness in the highest! Come on, you really think you can govern us like this? We have not to be Thomases to doubt on this!
Are you sure the rest of your new appointed cabinet feels not the same way like HCB, but have not the guts to tell you?!