Cabinet reshuffle updates: Pressure forces govt to clarify Chilima’s position

As Malawians continue to pile pressure on President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s administration to explain why the Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima continue to be sidelined in the Party when it comes to allocation of duties, government has clarifies the recent anomaly noted in Cabinet reshuffle.

Mutharika on Thursday last week reshuffled his Cabinet where he fired Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Dr. Allan Chiyembekeza and was replaced by Dr. George Chaponda who was in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation.

The other thing that attracted the attention of many Malawians was that of the Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima was not given any post in the new cabinet, forcing this publication to write a story titled ‘Cabinet reshuffle: Mutharika gives Chilima a cold-shoulder’.

The article explained that leaving Chilima with no post in the new cabinet clearly shows that all is not well with him and the president.

But government released a statement on Sunday clarifying the mater, saying Chilima still remains on his position.

“Further to the announcement on some changes to the Cabinet on 7th April, 2016, I wish to advise that His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, State President, remains Minister of Defence and Commander-In-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force and the Malawi Police Service; and

“The Right Honourable Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima, Vice President, remains Minister Responsible for Disaster and Relief Management, Public Events and Chairperson, Civil Service and Public Service Reform Commission,” reads in part the statement signed by George Mkondiwa.

The statement further says that technical fault in printing the documents led to the missing of Chilima’s Ministerial post.

Meanwhile social commentators have questioned the seriousness of the DPP regime on national matters.