Chilima Insists Presidential Powers Will Be Clipped Even If Chakwera Attains Presidency

Running-mate for Tonse Alliance Saulos Chilima who is also United Transformation Movement (UTM) president has insisted that presidential powers will be trimmed even if Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera who is also the torch bearer of the Tonse Alliance carry the day in the fresh presidential elections.

The sate vice president made the remarks yesterday in Lilongwe after a successful political rally at Likuni boys ground.

According to Chilima his commitment to fight corruption has not changed but there is a need to strengthen them hence stripping immunity of the sitting president.

“President should not be immune from persecution during their term of office,” said Chilima.

Chilima added; “We have instruments to fight corruption in the country but we need to strengthen them. One important issue is to remove the presidential immunity.”

Chilima further stressed that there are people who are engaged in corruption but the presidency shield them from being prosecuted.

“There are people who engage in corruption in the name of the president because he is not indicated. So if the immunity is removed, there will be no shielding of corrupt fat cats,” Chilima said.

Chilima further explained that the sitting president should not have immunity so that he may be tried in the court of law if implicated in any way of wrong doing while in office.

Section 92(1) of the constitution states that “No person holding the office of the president shall be charged with criminal offence in any court during his term in office”