LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi former Speaker Henry Chimunthu Banda has turned down a ministerial appointment by President Peter Mutharika.
Chimunthu-Banda was appointed Minister of Natural resources and Mining.
Former speaker could not say why he turned down the offer but says he only learnt of the appointment on radio.
Chimunthu Banda is Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker for Nkhotakota South.
The former speaker told Zodiak radio that despite snubbing the post he remains DPP loyal member.
President Mutharika on Thursday, March 19, 2020 put in place inflated cabinet to accommodate his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)’s electoral alliance United Democratic Front (UDF) members including Atupere Muluzi and Lilian Patel.
Mutharika once again excluded Dr. Saulos Chilima in the cabinet as Malawi Vice President despite the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) on February 3, 2020 after the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) lost the presidential election case.
The 32-cabinet member has six women and six non Members of Parliament (MPs).
New faces in the cabinet including Patel, Chimunthu Banda, Atupere Muluzi and among others.
Dropped Ministers including Bintony Kutsaira, Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Mungasulwa Mwambande, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining and Martha Lunji Mhone, Minister of Labour, Skill and Innovation.