There is no leadership vacuum — govt

Capital Hill says statements from certain quarters implying that Malawi experiences leadership vacuum whenever President Joyce Banda is outside the country on duty is disregard of other constitutionally established offices.

This follows Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Peter Mutharika’s questioning of Banda’s decision to extend her visit to the United States amidst what he termed a serious crisis after the shooting of budget director Paul Mphwiyo.

Mutharika wants Banda to return home and provide leadership in dealing with the crisis.

However, government through its spokesperson and Minister of Information and Civic Education Moses Kunkuyu says this is “sheer portrayal of ignorance and disregard of the law of the land on the roles other constitutionally established offices such as the Office of the Vice-President play in such scenarios.”

Said Kunkuyu in a statement: “To assume that the country faces a leadership vacuum is not only illogical but also misplaced and it is wrong to deprive Malawians of the chance to shape, embrace and appreciate this constitutionally recognised model of leadership which is the beginning of healthy politics for our country.

“Again, some signs are refusing to dump the past when vice-presidents’ offices were reduced to mere spectators.”

He said government is assuring Malawians that they have functional offices that take control of national matters in the absence of the President.