This week, government officials reported that State Residences—Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe and Sanjika Palace in Blantyre, to be precise—were damaged and looted ostensibly by State House employees under the former president Lazarus Chakwera as they vacated their offices and houses. And that as such the palaces are in an unusable state.
One report said: “Once the crown jewel of Malawi’s presidency, Kamuzu Palace now lies in shocking disrepair — its once-elegant corridors reeking of decay, its lawns brown and lifeless, and its walls scarred by vandalism.
“The refrigerators, gym equipment, TV sets, decoders, and office furniture that once filled the rooms were missing. The main kitchen, where official meals were once prepared for visiting dignitaries, now stood barren — no plates, no tablecloths, no utensils.
“In the staff quarters, conditions were even worse. Walls bore signs of vandalism, carpets and chandeliers had been removed, and some rooms appeared deliberately trashed. In several houses, taps were broken and water flowed uncontrollably. Air conditioners had been dismantled from walls, and water meters were reportedly stolen.”
The report said in its present condition, Kamuzu Palace is uninhabitable.
Another report said Sanjika Palace was in no better condition.
This is the height of sensationalisation.
Here I want to affirm there is no disputing that the palaces may have been damaged and looted. But the damage and looting may not really be the work of former State House employees under the Chakwera administration. The critical question I want to address is: after the former employees left Kamuzu Palace four days after President Peter Mutharika was declared winner of the September 16 election, who was guarding the premises?
Having stayed at Kamuzu Palace for two long years I have a fair idea about the workings of the place. Ordinarily, the residences at the palace are supposed to be well guarded. But what obtains on the ground is a different kettle of fish altogether.
The palace has four residential areas—A, B, C and D. A is the presidential residence. It is obviously well guarded. B is the residential area for senior officers. It has five houses. C is the residential area for lower or junior managers. It has over 30 houses. Then there is D. This is the residential area for junior officers. They include clerks, drivers, messengers, junior security officers, maintenance clerks, ground workers, etc. There are over 70 housing units in D. This is where there are shops, a maize mill, a primary school and a dispensary and other utilities.
All the residential areas are guarded by police officers day and night, working in shifts. No dogs are allowed inside the palace’s perimeter area. During my time, two police officers would be deployed at any given time to guard the five houses in B.
But despite the houses being guarded by police officers, theft of household items from the residences was rampant. A week would not pass without one of my neighbours reporting that thieves had stolen from them. Most stolen items included car batteries, motor vehicle tyres, kitchenware and manhole covers. We were not spared. We lost a gas cooker and two brand new tyres that were removed from one of our personal vehicles. Theft cases would be reported to the Guard Commander. But I can’t remember anyone getting back their stolen items.
These items were being stolen at night when the owners of the houses were right in the houses, of course, asleep. So, I am imagining what field day the ‘thieves’ would have guarding vacant houses after the previous occupants had vacated them.
On Wednesday, President Peter Mutharika presided over the swearing-in of three newly-appointed Cabinet ministers and some senior government officers. One report from a reputable publication said: “Traditionally, such ceremonies are held at State House—a symbol of executive authority. The relocation of this event [to Mutharika’s private residence in Nyambandwe] underscores just how dire the situation at Kamuzu Palace has become.”
But the swearing-in ceremony took place at Sanjika Palace. This is the same palace which was also reported to be in an inhabitable state. Lies have a short life.
The obsession to sensationalise issues is a hangover from the campaign which was characterised by misinformation and disinformation. But Chakwera and MCP are out of government. Vilifying and demonising them only erodes the trustworthiness of the people behind the reports.
