Malawi’s new pres. Chakwera responds to those criticising him for appointing relatives, friends to Cabinet

Malawi’s new President Lazarus Chakwera has responded to criticisms of nepotism by saying that he had good reasons to select the cabinet that he did.

He has included a
husband and wife duo as well as people who are related to each other. There are
also cabinet posts for some prominent business people which has raised
questions of conflicts of interest.

The president’s
former running mate in the 2019 elections, Sidik Mia, has been appointed
minister for transport and his wife Abida Mia is the deputy minister for lands.

Critics “may have a
point [but]… both of them are accomplished politicians” in their own right, Mr
Chakwera told BBC Focus on Africa radio.

Kenny Kandodo is the
new labour minister and his sister Khumbize Kandodo is the health minister.

The president has
also appointed the son of one his allies and predecessors, Joyce Banda.

But Mr Chakwera said
the test will not be who the ministers are but whether they are delivering.

“This is going to be
reviewed, because you have to deliver, you have to work so that you are
contributing this process of rebuilding and if you don’t you are out.”

And as to the
question of whether it’s appropriate to have a media owner as information
minister, as well as other business people in key posts he said:

“If there is any
inappropriate action… Then they are gone… We will be on top of such and
everything has to be declared right from the start.”