Opposition UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe has observed that nepotistic recruitment and a culture of allowances remain rife in government, arguing that the practices are holding back the country’s development.
Speaking on the Straight Talk programme on Capital Radio on Thursday, the former Reserve Bank governor said nepotism results in the recruitment of unsuitable people into the public service.
“What has happened is that DPP officials have replaced Chakwera and his relatives with themselves and their relatives. Currently, you have relatives and even spouses of ministers appointed to public positions.
“When you appoint people through nepotism and not merit, you cannot expect effectiveness in the public service. When UTM wins in 2030, we will make sure we recruit people on merit,” Kabambe said.
The UTM president also criticised what he described as a culture of allowances among some civil servants at Capital Hill, the seat of government.
“Most civil servants do not benefit from these allowances. Teachers do not go to workshops, neither do police and health workers. This culture is only among those who work at Capital Hill,” he said.
Kabambe said the Government should investigate officials abusing public resources through allowances and dismiss those found responsible.
“Others will learn a lesson from them and they will desist from such abuses,” he said.
His comments come as the Government recently issued a directive banning meetings outside duty stations as part of austerity measures.
Issued by the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) under Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi, the directive bars ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) from booking external or off-site venues for Government-funded activities.
Kabambe, however, said such measures have historically not been sustained.
On the economy, the UTM leader said the DPP’s fiscal policy was similar to that of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), which he said relies on borrowing from local and foreign financial institutions.
“The Minister of Finance has become the chief beggar. He is just moving around with a begging bowl, asking for alms,” he said.
Kabambe said Malawi should introduce measures to make the country economically self-reliant.
“I was the Budget Director during the Bingu wa Mutharika administration. The former president used to say we must learn to live within our means. That is what we need to embrace,” he said.
Kabambe also called for reforms in public procurement, saying Government loses billions of kwacha through overpricing and alleged collusion among some officials.
