The quasi-religious body Public Affairs Committee (PAC) has said the leadership of President Lazarus Chakwera is quickly shifting from bad to worse, despite their hope that one of them, a clergy is holding the highest position.
The body said the shift is largely because of Chakwera’s inconsistences and delays in execution of actions and decisions in the administration and management of the economy, the public sector, the rule of law and governance in general.
The remarks were made on Tuesday afternoon when PAC, led by its Chairperson Dr Patrick Thawale had an interface meeting with Chakwera at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
“That Your Excellency had risen from our fraternity to the highest office, our conviction and trust in your leadership was unshakable. You became a source of pride. Different narratives emerged at the time. Some argued that a clergy cannot run the country as politics is not his domain.
“Some of us took the contrary view. We felt that most issues of political governance could be closer to your heart, and that your decision making would be swift, supported by a revamped public service populated by qualified technocrats,” said Thawale
Among others, he said domestic borrowing, international travels by state officials including Chakwera, and failure in general to tighten fiscal policies became order of the day, selective justice and also noted that some old cases are not being pursued giving an impression new cases became more important than previous ones.
“Our major concern is the negative impact on the livelihood of Malawians caused by the 44 percent. Already when the government devalued currency by 25 percent last year, the impact on rural Malawians was big. Now with 44 percent more suffering is expected among majority of Malawians. We believe tough decisions should have been made earlier, in fact when you assumed office.
“On the contrary, Your Excellency, domestic borrowing, international travels by state officials including yourself, and failure in general to tighten fiscal policies became order of the day. Coupled with the current huge wage bill no doubt Malawi could not be spared from devaluation.
“Your Excellency, indeed devaluation is a symptom of your actions, omissions and decisions pursued in the administration of state affairs. Domestic borrowing for consumption, international trips, cabinet size and the entire size of civil service (including the unwarranted numbers in the embassies) as a result of recruitments have been the driving factors to the current economic affairs of the country.
“Your Excellency may have been insensitive to the complaints and pieces of advice from stakeholders leading to perception that the Tonse Administration seem to be clueless. Your Excellency have no choice but to act decisively on some recommendations made in order to jump start the economy.
“Malawians are crying out there. The poor are starving. The country is lacking message of hope on the current economic terrain. We cannot maintain the status quo or else we create room for civil strife,” said Thawale
PAC further said indecisiveness and slowness to respond to crucial issues remain a great enemy to Chakwera’s leadership legacy.
“The law gives you all the powers to swiftly make decisions of the state. You may need to seriously consider your approach. Otherwise, the populace is becoming fade up,” reads part of the statement
