Minister Chiumia answer CCAP Livingstonia Synod’s prayer: ‘God saddened to see thieving leaders’

Last time Malawi heard a public official answering to a clergy’s prayer was when late president Bingu wa Mutharika responded to a sermon which was critical to his administration. But now it’s the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Grace Chiumia who directly responded to a prayer offered by CCAP Livingstonia Synod cleric.

Revered Maurice Munthali, an acerbic critic of the government on governance, in his sermon during the Independence Celebration held in Mzuzu asked God to help the country’s leaders to deal with the worsening corruption and to be honest and trustworthy as well as exemplary leaders to all Malawians.

“We know you [God] are saddened when You see our leaders being thieves, liars, corrupt and stubborn, “said Munthali.

The CCAP maverick preacher said Malawi cannot develop because of lack of sustainable development plan as leaders keep implementing different blue prints when there is change of government.

“One driver [Kamuzu Banda] said Malawians should have food, shelter and clothing; another one came [Bakili Muluzi] and said we should open the Mtwala Corridor and encourage small-scale business. Yet another driver [Bingu wa Mutharika] promoted the Green Belt Initiative and Nsanje port then another came [Joyce Banda] with one cow per family initiative. Now the current driver [Peter Mutharika] is promoting technical colleges and Cement and Malata programme,” said Munthali.

He wondered: “Where are we going as a country with these programmes? Every leader takes this country where they want.”

In his prayer, Mutharika asked for divine intervention in the poor housing for teachers and soldiers at Malawi Defence Force and Police officers. He also asked for the national football team to return to winning ways.

Speaking at the event, Minister Chiumia directly answered the prayer.

She said the issue of  housing for security personnel does not need divine intervention as government has already budgeted to build 10 000 houses for the security personnel.

“Government is going to construct 10 000 houses for the security personnel in the country; hence, the prayer has been heard and answered,” said Chiumia.

Chiumia insisted that the prayers have been “heard” and responded that all development activities of the previous regimes have not been abandoned.

The prayers were led by pastors from CCAP Livingstonia Synod, Catholic and Anglican Church and the Muslim Association of Malawi.

The Minister thanked the people who fought for the country’s independence and asked Malawians to continue being united.

Other activities during the cerebrations included a joint military parade and tag of war by the Malawi Defence Force, Malawi Police Service and Malawi Prison Service.

There was also a football match between Moyale Barracks and Mzuzu Select which ended 2-0 in favour of Moyale.

Malawi, formally Nyasaland, was granted independence from British colonial rule in 1964.

Sharing is caring!