The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has said contrary to “misleading and fabricated” social media reports, President Peter Mutharika presided over a Cabinet meeting at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on May 27 2026.
In a press release titled ‘Statement on misleading reports targeting the Presidency’ dated May 31 2026, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Justin Saidi said the claims being propagated through social media platforms are “false and void”.
last week. | State House
He said since assuming office on October 4 2025 following his triumph in the September 16 2025 General Election, Mutharika has presided over all Cabinet meetings.
Said Saidi: “The President personally convenes and chairs Cabinet meetings in accordance with his constitutional mandate and responsibilities.
“Any suggestion to the contrary is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, undermine confidence in the Presidency and create unnecessary speculation. Such conduct is not only regrettable but also unpatriotic.”
He also said his office has noted persistent attempts to create misleading narratives regarding the President’s decision to delegate officials to represent him at some State functions.
Saidi said the Constitution empowers the President to delegate responsibilities and representation whenever he deems it appropriate and necessary, guided by the principles of efficiency, relevance and prudent stewardship of public resources.
“Such decisions are not motivated by malice, indifference or ill-will, but are deliberate measures aimed at promoting efficient governance, reducing unnecessary public expenditure and demonstrating leadership by example in the implementation of the government’s austerity agenda,” he said.
The assertions on delegation come against a background of Cabinet ministers representing the President at national events when First Vice-President Jane Ansah and Second Vice- President Enoch Chihana are available at the President’s disposal.
Saidi also said the President’s foremost priority is to address the country’s economic challenges, strengthen public service delivery, combat hunger, create opportunities for growth, and restore economic stability.
On his part, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences political analyst Chimwemwe Tsitsi said that while there is nothing wrong with the government refuting rumours and clarifying certain issues, on delegated powers, it would be good for the President to delegate the First Vice- President or Second Vice-President whenever he is unavailable.
On May 27, Mutharika convened a Cabinet meeting, and State House released photos of the ministers as well as those of Vice-President Jane Ansah and Second Vice-President Enoch Chihana.
However, social media posts suggested that Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation George Chaponda presided over the Cabinet meeting.
