President Peter Mutharika’s warning against looting of government resources has courted mixed reactions from political and governance observers, who say its credibility will depend on whether he can match words with action.
In his inaugural address as Malawi’s seventh President at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday, he declared an end to what he called the “honeymoon of looting,” warning both party loyalists and public officers to abandon the ‘tidyerere’ mentality that has long defined the country’s politics.
Reacting to the President’s speech, governance and rights activist Benedicto Kondowe welcomed Mutharika’s declaration as bold, but warned that without firm enforcement, it risks becoming another hollow statement.
“This is a necessary message, but the real test lies not in eloquent speeches, but in uncompromising execution. For too long, political rhetoric against corruption in Malawi has been drowned by ‘tidyerere’ politics, where loyalty is rewarded with contracts, positions and access to State resources,” he said.
Kondowe noted that Mutharika’s resolve will be measured by how he handles cases involving members of his own circle.
“If sacred cows remain untouchable, APM’s credibility will evaporate quickly. [He must match] his words with swift investigations, dismissals and prosecutions of corrupt actors, including those close to him,” he said.
Anti-corruption activist Moses Mkandawire also welcomed Mutharika’s warning, but cautioned that Malawi’s political culture remains deeply compromised.
“Given the culture of mapwevupwevu [extravagance] that we have, many supporters may not be in line with the warning and the tone that has been set. Politics has become a route to personal enrichment rather than public service,” he said.
But political scientist George Chaima noted a shift in tone that seeks to restore moral discipline in public administration.
He said the President’s appeal should also challenge citizens to abandon dependency and complacency.
Said Chaima: “By listening deeply and carefully to APM’s speech, one would conclude that his leadership has come with a new mission.
“He wants to run the government for the people and with the people and is encouraging officials to truly keep Malawians at heart if we are to fight corruption and eliminate poverty.”
The Democratic Progressives Party (DPP) leader, who triumphed by 56.8 percent of the vote against 16 other contestants, including former president Lazarus Chakwera in the September 16 General Election, said government is “not a feast, but a duty to serve Malawians,” urging those seeking political rewards to “leave now”.
APM’s first reign between 2014 and 2020 was tainted by several scandals bordering on graft and looting of public resources, including the infamous alleged use of his official Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) issued taxpayer identification number (T-PIN) by trusted aides to import billions worth of cement tax free.
Another notable incident occurred in 2018 when rights activists forced APM to refund to government K145 million that was deposited into a DPP account by Pioneer Investments Limited after a controversial food rations pay out by the Malawi Police Service. The President was the bank account’s sole signatory.
