President Peter Mutharika’s absence has stirred debate with main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) urging First Vice-President Jane Ansah to fill the gap by addressing the nation on critical issues, including the prolonged fuel crisis.
Briefing the media in Lilongwe yesterday, MCP director of campaign Moses Kunkuyu said Malawians deserve an explanation on the President’s absence amid multiple crises of fuel, electricity and water supply challenges as well as stock out of essential medicines in public hospitals; hence, Ansah should address the nation.
However, Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi in an interview yesterday branded MCP’s concerns as political rhetoric, arguing that the erstwhile governing party lacks the mandate to speak on behalf of all Malawians.
In a separate interview, private practice lawyer Alan Chinula, a Senior Counsel (SC), said the President’s absence from the country does not automatically trigger constitutional provisions allowing the Vice-President to assume presidential duties on grounds of incapacitation.
Mutharika left the country on October 6 2026 for South Africa on his fifth private visit to the country since returning to power following his triumph in the September 16 2025 General Election.
During the press conference, Kunkuyu said fuel shortages have disrupted transport and business operations while unreliable electricity supply is undermining production and pushing up the cost of living.
He also called on the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and other relevant institutions to investigate allegations of corruption and abuse of public resources, regardless of the positions of those implicated.
“At a time like this, the country needs leadership that is visible, accessible, decisive and accountable. Malawians need to hear from their President,” said Kunkuyu, who served as a Cabinet minister in former president Lazarus Chakwera’s administration.
He said MCP was not questioning the President’s right to attend to personal matters, including medical needs, but was concerned about the lack of official communication amid the country’s difficulties.
But Saidi said the concerns raised by the MCP do not necessarily reflect the views of Malawians as he himself did not mandate the official opposition party to speak on his behalf.
On the President’s whereabouts, he said Mutharika was in South Africa on a private trip as Malawians were previously communicated by the Office of the President and Cabinet.
“The President is in South Africa on a private trip. I don’t think Malawians have sent MCP to raise the concerns they claim,” said Saidi.
Commenting on the call for estranged First VP Ansah to address the nation, Chinula questioned the basis for the demand, noting that there was no communication that the President was incapacitated.
He said the process requires a written declaration, certified by a board of independent medical practitioners, confirming that the President is unable to perform his duties, as such, the VP should step in.
Chinula said the declaration is also supposed to be signed by the First VP and a majority of Cabinet members holding office at the time before the First VP submits the same to the Speaker of the National Assembly.
“That procedure has to be followed. Has it been followed as we sit here now? The answer is no. So, I don’t think it’s right, in my view, for anybody to say the Vice-President should address the nation,” he said.
However, activist and private practice lawyer Benedicto Kondowe said Ansah could address the public on pressing national challenges within her constitutional mandate without assuming powers reserved for the President.
He cited Sections 79 and 92(3) of the Constitution that the Vice-President assists the President and may preside over Cabinet meetings during the President’s temporary absence.
Kondowe said Ansah could reassure the public about the government’s efforts to address fuel and foreign-exchange shortages without necessarily assuming presidential powers.
Political Science Association spokesperson George Chaima said there was no compelling political reason for Ansah to address the nation at this stage, arguing that the government had already communicated the President’s absence.
He said the VP generally exercised functions delegated by the President and should not be compelled to address the nation on matters concerning the country.
Mutharika’s first private visit to South Africa was undertaken on December 1 2025 and lasted about 14 days before heading back on March 1 this year for 11 days which was followed by a 17-day visit from June 12. On August 5, the President left for his fourth trip which lasted 11 days.
The OPC has consistently classified the trips as private visits and not disclosed details about their purpose or the President’s activities while in South Africa.
The President, who clocked one year in office on October 4 2026, has not undertaken a State visit abroad and has instead delegated either Cabinet ministers or Second Vice-President Enock Chihana at regional groupings such as Southern African Development Community Heads of State and Government summits.
