Peter Mutharika’s double standards exposed

So much for a new Capital Hill culture!

After declaring that only officials whose work is relevant to a presidential function would be accompanying the Head of State, the Peter Mutharika administration sharply returned to business as usual when half the Cabinet of 20 travelled to Mzuzu University (Mzuni)for Friday’s graduation ceremony.

Nation on Sunday

has established that over 10 Cabinet ministers accompanied by senior government officials followed the President even as the administration complains of financial problems that have led to chronic underfunding of government ministries, departments and agencies, thereby paralysing public services.

Even Vice-President Saulos Chilima—the champion of civil and public service reforms—was also present at the graduation ceremony with a fleet of six cars before he left the northern city to preside over a St Pius Catholic Church Golden Jubilee function in Blantyre yesterday.

Among the ministers spotted at the event were Goodall Gondwe (Finance), Paul Chibingu (Home Affairs), Henry Mussa (Labour), Kondwani Nankhumwa (Information), Dr Jean Kalirani (Health), Dr George Chaponda (Foreign Affairs), Dr Emmanuel Fabiano (Education), Grace Chiumia (Sports) and Trasizio Gowelo (Local Government).

Asked to justify the presence of over 10 ministers, various senior government officials, presidential advisers and three State House press officers, Nankhumwa said the ministers and officials used personal resources as a commitment to support Mutharika.

He said invitations to the graduation did not come from State House; hence, officials could not travel on government ticket.

Nankhumwa claimed that everyone footed their bills, including allowances for drivers, security and other people who accompanied them. He said he personally gave his body guard K20 000 for three days instead of K6 000 per day.

“In normal circumstances, when ministers are asked to attend [the President’s functions], the invitation comes from State House, but in this case, Mzuni made the invitations to ministers and others to come in their personal capacity.

“I know you can’t believe it, but everyone looked into his own accommodation. We even joked about it asking each other where we slept. Some slept in lodges,” said Nankhumwa.

But Malawi Congress Party spokesperson Dr Jessie Kabwila said it is a shame to have such a huge number of ministers and government officials travel to Mzuzu when the economy is in tatters and there is a huge budget deficit.

“For a graduation, having over 10 ministers is an insult. This government is not different from PP [People’s Party]. They told us we will have a small Cabinet, but they end up having 15 advisers which is as good as the PP’s Cabinet.

“What they are doing is contradictory to their promises. How do you justify over 10 ministers at a graduation? It is wastage of taxpayers’ money. It is regrettable to be doing such things when we have shortage of drugs in hospitals,” said Kabwila.

She said the travels clearly show that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government is incapable of governing.