Vice-President Jane Ansah has urged officials responsible for identifying beneficiaries of relief food to be transparent to ensure no Malawian dies of hunger.
She said government remains committed to supporting households affected by hunger, with maize distribution expected to run from December this year to February next year.
Ansah made the remarks on Sunday at St. Augustine 2 Primary School in Mangochi during a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) rally organised to thank the people of the district for overwhelmingly supporting the party in the September 16 2025 General Election.
She said: “This rally is meant to say thank you for the overwhelming vote you gave us. We appreciate it so much. As DPP, we made a number of promises, and I would like to assure you that we will deliver on what we promised.”
Ansah described as unfortunate reports that some officials entrusted with identifying vulnerable households choose beneficiaries based on personal reasons.
“We will not tolerate such malpractices. DPP wants everyone struggling with hunger to benefit, regardless of political affiliation. We want inclusivity. Thus, I am appealing to those involved in the distribution process to be honest and transparent,” she said.
Speaking earlier, Traditional Authority Chowe welcomed the Vice-President, saying her visit demonstrated the party’s concern for the welfare of Malawians.
He appealed to government to ensure timely distribution of relief food, noting that many households in Mangochi are struggling.
“Apart from food assistance, we also have a very big challenge with the Mangochi–Makanjira Road. This road is very important to the people of Mangochi and we want it constructed,” said Chowe.
In his remarks, DPP Eastern Region governor Daud Chikwanje accused Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) and some civil society leaders of “playing politics under the guise of human rights activism”.
He questioned their timing, saying they were not vocal during the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) administration.
“Where were these activists when people were eating buffalo beans in Machinga? Where were they when the fuel crisis reached a crescendo under MCP? Where were they when panga-wielding thugs terrorised the Central Region? Enafe ndife ana obadwira pa dzuwa; asayerekeze. They should not think of organising demonstrations,” warned Chikwanje.
His comments echoed sentiments made by President Peter Mutharika weeks ago during a stopover at Mangochi Roundabout en route to his Page House in Mangochi.
The rally, which attracted scores of DPP supporters, was attended by ministers Bright Msaka (Education), Feston Kaupa (Transport), Roza Mbilizi (Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development), and Shadric Namalomba (Information), members of Parliament from the Eastern Region, chiefs and religious leaders, among others.
