“Never diminish President Mutharika’s authority”- Mwanamveka breaks the silence after disowning Nankhumwa’s Shadow Cabinet

Earlier this week, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential aspirant and Chiradzulu South legislator Joseph Mwanamvekha disassociated himself with the Shadow Cabinet appointed by Leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa.

Mwanamvekha who was appointed as Shadow Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs announced his decision to reject the appointment in a letter addressed to Nankhumwa dated 15 February, 2022.

In the letter Mwanamvekha says he does not recognize the shadow cabinet because Nankumwa did not consult the leader of the party, former president Peter Mutharika.

“This is due to the fact that the leadership of the party (DPP) which I am part of, was not consulted when the cabinet was being constituted contrary to established party etiquette and discipline,” reads part of the letter.

According to the former Finance minister, the appointment of shadow cabinet did not follow due process because “the leader of the opposition should have consulted the party leadership.”

“I am the party’s spokesperson on finance and I expected the leader of the party (President Mutharika) to be consulted before appointments were made,” Mwanamvekha said.

“I enquired with my party leadership and was informed that no such consultations took place and to me this means undermining the authority of the party leadership.

“President Mutharika made us what we are and there is no need to undermine his authority. He is not in competition with anyone so he should be consulted on anything to do with DPP,” he said.

Mwanamvekha’s resignation comes days after another DPP bigwig and Vice President for the Eastern Region Bright Msaka also pulled out of the cabinet in which he was appointed as Shadow Minister of Justice.

Nankhumwa who is also DPP Vice President for the South and Mulanje Central legislator announced the shadow cabinet on Friday last week.

The DPP on Sunday rejected the cabinet saying it already appointed its spokespersons on specific issues such as economy, legal affairs, agriculture and health.

The party added that a shadow cabinet serves no purpose in a presidential and parliamentary system practiced in Malawi.

“Those appointed have no authority whatsoever to speak on behalf of the DPP in the National Assembly,” DPP Administrative Secretary Francis Mphepo said in a statement.