Usi disowns Facebook account commenting on Cabinet snub: Chimunthu in benefits trap
UTM Party vice-president Michael Usi has disowned a Facebook account running under “Dr Michael Usi” name tag which has been posting messages on Friday praising former Speaker Henry Chimunthu Banda for rejecting Cabinet appointment by President Peter Mutharika.
Chimunthu Banda said he was not consulted when the appointment was made, saying he could have told the appointing authority not to include him in the Cabinet and has since turned down the post of Minister of Natural Resources and Mining.
A post on “Dr Michael Usi” congratulated Chimunthu Banda for turning down the ministerial post.
“Bravo Sir! You have proved that it’s not about our stomachs only but Malawi,” it reads.
But speaking to Nyasa Times in a telephone interview on Friday, Usi said the page does not belong to him.
“I have no Facebook account,” said Usi, who is outside the country.
“I am somewhere in Africa,” he said without disclosing his exact location.
However, it has been learnt that Chimunthu Banda could not take a ministerial post for fear of losing his benefits as former speaker if he was going to be drawing salary as Cabinet Minister.
Parliament revised conditions of service for speaker, first deputy speaker and second deputy speaker putting them on pension and the arrangement started with Chimunthu Banda.
He enjoys benefits such as free housing, two armed police guards, a Toyota Prado TX, a salary like that of a Vice President.
As a legislator, Chimunthu Banda doesn’t get salary as he only receives sitting allowance.
Chimunthu, 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.
Meanwhile, another post on “Dr Michael Usi” Facebook page stated that newly appointed minister Kamlepo Kalua says he has just heard if his appointment on radio and is yet to dedide on the offer.
Usi insists it is not him posting that and that he has reported to Facebook about the fake account.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Chimunthu Banda sanafunsidwe zau minister koma inu mkuti wakana coz for fear of losing benefits as former speaker. Nde u tell me kuti anamfunsa analola then later on ndikuganiza zoti aluza ma benefits mpamene amakana? Pamenepa mwalemba mbweleratu kwambiri. Anyway bravo Chimunthu Banda for taking ur stand osangolola zilizonse
Wausilu. Wopanda mwambo!
Koma aMalawi sindiwamvetsa maganizo awo. Mwiniwake wanena chifukwa chimene wakanira udindo wa u minister koma busy kusakasaka zifukwa zina
Big up Chimunthu not what Chilima is doing by clinging to the VP. Government is collective business and Chilima is part of the mess happening now whether he likes it or not.
Chule uyuso talk about the main culprit who has even gone for an appeal. Chilima was not VP b4 chigalo cha court
He is not taking the offer;period!why labouring to give reasons on his behalf?Honourable Chiwaya was the second deputy speaker,he is silent,does this post go without benefits?
Eeeh! Is that what he gets? No wonder he does not want to lose it.
If the issue is about benefits, why didn’t he take the offer and decline drawing salary just as he is doing with the parliamentary seat?