Vehicle issue is GOVT propaganda

There have been many accusations and counter accusations between government and the main opposition political party Malawi Congress Party (MCP) on the purchase of four top-of-the-range vehicles for Leader of Opposition, Speaker of parliament and his two deputies. ALBERT SHARRA caught up with executive director of Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) Timothy Mtambo on the issue.

Q: What was your reaction when you heard that government had purchased four top-of-the-range vehicles for Leader of Opposition, Speaker of parliament and his two deputies?

A: We were disappointed and very concerned. We are shocked to know that government has been insensitive to do so. The same way we have said we do not want the presidential jet is the same way we are saying we do not want such expensive vehicles to be bought at a time Malawians are struggling. We do not have enough drugs in hospitals, the economy is poor and so is the electricity and water supply. So, we felt like there was a high level of insensitivity and carelessness to do that.

Q: The development has sparked a verbal war between government and MCP on the justification to purchase the vehicles at a time the economy is in bad shape. What is your take on this?

A: What I can say is that be it a political game between MCP and government, this is leading us nowhere and is not bringing any solution. The process might have been followed, these vehicles were budgeted for and these people perhaps deserve these vehicles just like the President deserves the presidential jet. But it is not good that government is pushing the blame to a specific person. I would call this propaganda. We are appealing to both MCP and government to be responsible and look at this issue soberly.

Q: MCP is arguing that the decision to buy the vehicles is a technical process guided by policy in terms of ranking in the public service and also the purchase was approved by government. What do you make of this debate?

The procurement of the vehicles? This person was insensitive and careless because there is no way one can make a requisition for such a huge sum [over K300 million] procurement for the vehicles which some of us would look as a luxury at the expense of the challenges the country is going through.

Secondly, where I also find the arguments raised between the two sides unnecessary is that any transaction is supposed to be approved by government, the Executive. So, the question is who approved this transaction and why did they approve it at a time they know we are going through hardships as a country and there is a procurement ban? Much as the process was followed, it was insensitive for the vehicles to be procured at this point in time. Since government approved the purchase, they have no excuse at all to start pointing fingers now.

Q: What is your assessment of the relationship between MCP and government?

A: The problem we are facing as a country now is that we are trying to politicise every issue, but this should not be a government and MCP issue. To me, this is a government issue. Maybe, MCP is being mentioned because the recipients are coming from the party, but let us look at these recipients as bona fide recipients that deserve the benefits even if they are coming from any political party.

There is a lot of obsession about the two sides. I see a lot of suspicion between MCP and government to the extent that anything that MCP says to government even if they say it in good faith, the government concludes it is said out of frustration. Again, whatever the government would say, MCP will think the opposite way.

We are sailing in difficult times where we need different players to come together and the government should show leadership to coordinate all of us. Even civil society organisitions [CSOs], have received hatred from government, coupled with efforts to weaken, divide and confuse us.

My advice to government is that it should look at criticism with positivity. Those people that are busy clapping hands, telling government things are well when they are not do not wish Malawi and the leadership well.

Q: What do you make when two arms of government fight like this?

A: This battle has to stop because at the end of the day, it is not addressing the problem. My proposal is that government should start looking at each proposal from different stakeholders, opposition inclusive, soberly. We wish our government and leadership to do well and we are ready to support. We want leadership from the opposition, government and Parliament to work together in developing this country.

Q: Any last comment?

A: Government should be able to control its expenditure and should walk its talk. When they talk about austerity, they should be an example. For example, up to now they have not talked about United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) entourage and this is haunting them because they are not standing on a moral ground to attack anyone. That is why they are attacking the recipient of a procurement the government itself approved. n

ehicles which some of us would look as a luxury at the expense of the challenges the country is going through.

Secondly, where I also find the arguments raised between the two sides unnecessary is that any transaction is supposed to be approved by government, the Executive. So the question is who approved this transaction and why did they approve it at a time they know we are going through hardships as a country and there is a procurement ban? Much as the process was followed, it was insensitive for the vehicles to be procured at this point in time. Since government approved the purchase, they have no excuse at all to start pointing fingers now.

Q: What is your assessment on the relationship between MCP and government?

A: The problem we are facing as a country now is that we are trying to politicise every issue, but this should not be a government and MCP issue. To me, this is a government issue. Maybe, MCP is being mentioned because the recipients are coming from the party, but let us look at these recipients as bonafide recipients that deserve the benefits even if they are coming from any political party.

There is a lot of obsession about the two sides. I see a lot of suspicion between MCP and government to the extent that anything that MCP says to government even if they say it in good faith; the government concludes it is said out of frustration. Again, whatever the government would say MCP will think the opposite way.

We are sailing in difficult times where we need different players to come together and the government should show leadership to coordinate all of us. Even civil society organisitions (CSOs), have received hatred from government, coupled with efforts to weaken, divide and confuse us.

My advice to government is that it should look at criticism with positivity. Those people that are busy clapping hands, telling government things are well when they are not do not wish Malawi and the leadership well.

Q: What do you make when two arms of government are at war like this?

A: This battle has to stop because at the end of the day, it is not addressing the problem. My proposal is that government should start looking at each proposal from different stakeholders, opposition inclusive, soberly. We wish our government and leadership to do well and we are ready to support. We want leadership from the opposition, government and Parliament to work together in developing this country.

Q: Any last comment?

A: Government should be able to control its expenditure and should walk its talk. When they talk about austerity, they should be an example. For example, up to now they have not talked about United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) entourage and this is haunting them because they are not standing on a moral ground to attack anyone. That is why they are attacking the recipient of a procurement the government