HRDC to meet Chakwera over family Cabinet

The Human Right Defenders Coalition (HRDC) is scheduled to meet the newly elected President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera over the just released 31 member Cabinet.

On Thursday night, Chakwera released a full Cabinet list with Muhammad Sidik Mia and his wife Abida Mia being included in the Cabinet.

Mia is the Minister of Transport and Public Works while his wife Abida is deputy in the Ministry of Lands, which is headed by former parliamentary Legal Affairs Committee chairperson Kezzie Msukwa.

In another family affair, two members of founding president Kamuzu Banda—Ken Kandodo and Khumbize Chiponda—shave been appointed Minister for Labour and Minister of Health, respectively.

Speaking in a media briefing in Lilongwe, HRDC Chairperson Gift Trapence said the grouping has booked a meeting with Chakwera this afternoon.

Trapence said since the announcement, people have been calling them to express their reservations on the Cabinet.

He stressed that the grouping will not allow nepotism to continue in the country.

On his part, HRDC National Coordinator Luke Tembo said people are not comfortable with the appointing of family members and more people from one region.

He said what has been served to the public is not what people expected, basing on Tonse Alliance’s campaign manifesto.