Written by Peter Chonga

Breaking News! On July 16th, the newly appointed minister of homeland security Richard Chimwendo Banda was spotted at a restaurant at Sent in the capital city, Lilongwe. The honorable Minister placed a food order worth 36,000 Malawi kwacha and gave a tip of 36,000 Malawi kwacha too, on top of that the honorable minister on his way out squared out bills for everyone having lunch at this joint.

Now, let’s understand each other here, there is nothing wrong with this gesture, I personally think its lovely and perhaps noble, I mean if this is how he lived his life before becoming a cabinet minister, then, probably no one should make a fuss about it. However, if this extravagance is new and connected to the newly acquired ministerial status then I personally think we should all be worried and begin running to the hills for special prayers once again. The crucial questions every Patriotic Malawian in-country and in the diaspora should be asking this administration are how different is this way of life from where we are coming from? Is this level of extravagance any different from the previous party officials? Just in case you have forgotten some of the unfolding political events in the month of July the year of our Lord 2020.

Allow me to nudge your memory.

This gentleman just assumed office in early July, sworn in on the 6th of July, I mean he has not even received his first monthly renumeration yet. Now, I know proponents and zealous folks of his political party may jump in to his defense as they should and argue that this is ok and probably brand me as the antagonist or a provocateur but that’s ok, I have been called worse by the best. Well, their argument would be, what if he is spending money from his pocket? After all he has money already, he was not a pauper. Perhaps you are right, however, if I am not mistaken this is one of the things we have strived to eliminate in this nation. I think we have to tread with caution, remember that members of the previous regime behaved in the similar manner and People thought akudya zawo.

Patriots, wasn’t this supposed to be a brand-new day? Wasn’t this regime supposed to be a breath of fresh air? Now, it’s an open secret and probably of paramount importance that we concentrate on making the previous regime plunderers pay for their actions but let’s also not lose focus on the fact that we have a new administration that needs to be closely watched so they don’t make the same mistakes their predecessors made.

Let us ponder for a second, has Malawi given the Tonse Alliance administration a license to loot or not? Is it that we are still maintaining the same political system but have just changed political players? Let us look for instance at the current cabinet composition, to me it lives a lot to be desired, it is the same old story of back room negotiations, nepotism and it really stinks of corruption. It is typical pay for play. It is clear that the President rewarded his cronies which I find quite disturbing and nauseating really.

What about those common people, the politically unconnected who thronged to the streets demanding that things changed, Mr President how do you intend to reward them? What about those who lost their lives in the struggle, how are you rewarding their families? Please do not forget that today’s powerful political people are tomorrow’s criminals. The current outpouring good will of the Malawian people is a promissory note, pay attention to it and honor it accordingly. Honorable Chimwendo Banda and all you folks in public offices clean your act. This is not Malawi of your fathers. The citizenry today is awake and well informed. Please be informed that you are operating under very watchful eyes of your bosses, the people of the republic of Malawian.