Leader of the opposition in Parliament, George Chaponda has called for the immediate resignation of Secretary to the President Coleen Zamba, the Transport Minister Jacob Hara and the Tourism Minister Vera Kamtukule for being involved in ‘dubious deals’ to buy fuel.
In a statement released Sunday morning, Chaponda said the theft of billions of Kwachas through dubious dealings is not merely a political issue; it is a direct assault on the well-being of the citizens, depriving them of critical services.
“These funds, which could have been allocated for lifesaving medicines in our hospitals, the remuneration of contractors, the support of pensioners, and the recruitment of primary school teachers, are being squandered.
“During the recent 5th Meeting of the 50th Session of Parliament, I raised serious concerns regarding the government’s obstruction of discussions on crucial matters, including questionable fuel deals. In my closing remarks, I also called for a comprehensive report on all fuel transactions conducted by the government over the past four years.
“This demand stemmed from alarming reports that the Minister of Transport facilitated NOCMA’s procurement of fuel from Dubai. While Hon. Sameer Suleman, Member of Parliament for Blantyre City South East, echoed these concerns, the Minister of Transport, who is also government’s Chief Whip in Parliament, dismissed these allegations without substantiation.
“Yesterday’s (28th September, 2024), both the country’s leading newspapers (The Weekend Nation and The Malawi News) vindicated us on this deal, which every Malawian agrees that it was meant to defraud government.
“The ongoing corruption under Chakwera’s administration has created a system where funds are misappropriated to bribe musicians, retired politicians and conducting political rallies, benefiting only a select few while betraying the trust of hardworking Malawians. This is a clear violation of the mandate given to this government.
“I urge all Malawians to rise up and demand accountability from their leaders. We cannot afford to remain passive while our nation’s resources are plundered. It is imperative that citizens take a stand for transparent governance. Where are our civil society organizations? Many were rightly critical of the previous DPP administration, yet now remain conspicuously silent as our country teeters on the brink of disaster. We need your voices, your advocacy, and your steadfast commitment to ensuring that those in power are held accountable.
“I hereby demand the immediate resignation of Secretary to the President (Coleen Zamba), the Transport Minister (Jacob Hara) and the Tourism Minister (Vera Kamtukule), who have been involved in dubious deals to buy fuel and sell the Likoma and Chizumulu Islands respectively.
“As the opposition, we will unwaveringly continue our fight against corruption and advocate for the rights of all Malawians. We will not be silenced or intimidated by the tactics employed by the ruling party. It is time to restore integrity and accountability to our government,” he said
