PAC wants Chakwera to act on graft, abuse
Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has urged President Lazarus Chakwera to act on corrupt officials and those who abuse office.
The call is contained in a statement PAC chairperson Dr. Patrick Thawale presented to the President during a meeting at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.

In the statement, the quasi-religious body said Chakwera’s apparent inaction and indecisiveness relating to many allegations of corruption involving his officials could erode confidence in high offices.
Reads the statement: “The leadership’s inaction and indecisiveness on several revelations of alleged corrupt practices unearthed in the higher echelons of the current government have constructed a public view that erodes the integrity of the highest office.”
PAC pointed out that Chakwera as a ‘man of God’ exuded immense hope to take a strong stand against corrupt practice, but once in power there seem to be no interest to tackle the same.
It further reads: “Having assumed power in 2020, incidents bent on corrupt practices in the current administration have been rife in the areas of AIP [Affordable Inputs Programme] and fuel procurement.
“Your leadership continuously ignored several allegations of unwarranted acts of corruption and remained indecisive on such issues, especially relating to your closest ministers and government officials. The inaction and indecisiveness in many fronts of government not only manifest lack of statecraft but also cluelessness on operations of state machinery.”
PAC has also asked the President to consider re-examining his Cabinet and relevant departments to manage the fiscal policy more efficiently.
The quasi-religious body further expresses concern on local and international trips involving the President and his Cabinet which send a wrong message on government’s seriousness to control public expenditure given the current statement of the economy.
PAC further said it was disappointing to note that Chakwera’s party, Malawi Congress Party, was becoming another instrument for oppression as Malawi moves to 2025 Elections. They cite an incident in which some people disrupted a demonstration by the opposition as a primitive act in a democratic country.
“So too, we do not condone stoning of presidential motorcades. Practising good governance at your level and within MCP will be a conflict prevention tool in the forthcoming elections,” said Thawale in a statement shared to us.
On a positive note, PAC commended Chakwera for the massive infrastructure development taking place in Malawi, citing the roads in Lilongwe as an admirable feat.
For his part, presidential press secretary Anthony Kasunda said the meeting took place in an open and honest atmosphere, reflecting the mutual respect and “commitment to the principles of accountability and good governance”.
He said: “The President acknowledged and appreciated PAC’s role as a key stakeholder in promoting national dialogue and development since he assumed office. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing the issues raised and emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts in driving Malawi’s progress.”
Kasunda said the President assured PAC that his government remains focused on delivering on “its promises and implementing transformative initiatives for the betterment of all Malawians”.
PAC last met President Chakwera on November 28 2023 where they also raised similar concerns.
During the last meeting, according to PAC, one of the issues raised was reminding the President on some of his commitments he made to the committee in 2019 which included having a Cabinet of less than 20 members, a promise Chakwera has not fulfilled.