Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera on Sunday warned against corruption in the country. The president’s warning came just a few days after he fired his cabinet and appointed a new cabinet amidst allegations of corruption by some members of his government, reported Eye Witness News.
During the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, Chakrewa said he expects his ministers to work ethically.
“Corruption comes in many forms and there are many opportunities to succumb to it in this country. But you must resist it at every turn because if you do not follow the law, the law will follow you and if you think that I will use my office to save you from facing the law you have broken, then you are gravely mistaken”, warned the Malawian president.
President Chakwera told his cabinet members that they have been appointed to the posts to serve, not to rule or boast. He added that he will not shield anyone from the law. He also urged his cabinet members to work hard.
“Do not accept a gift in exchange for using your office to give someone preferential treatment in the administration of a public service,” the Malawian president said at the swearing-in ceremony. “That is corruption.”
Chakwera, who was elected in 2020 on a campaign to fight corruption in the poor southern African country, sacked his entire 33-member cabinet last Monday. But, most of the sacked cabinet members were reappointed two days later, and the new lineup includes only two new names. He named prominent businessman and politician Mark Katsonga Phiri as the trade minister, and ruling party loyalist Sam Kawale as the lands minister.
In December, then minister of lands Kezzie Msukwa was arrested on allegations that he had received a bribe from a businessman to give him land. Malawian police also arrested a former finance minister and an ex-central bank chief for fabricating figures in a bid to impress the International Monetary Fund.
