By IOMMIE CHIWALO
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Leader of Opposition in Parliament, George Chaponda is worried with the current alarming levels of corruption and theft within President Chakwera’s administration.
In a letter that is in our possession, Chaponda says the theft of billions of Kwachas through dubious dealings is not merely a political issue.
He has since called for immediate resignation of Secretary to President and Cabinet Coleen Zamba, Transport Minister Jacob Hara and the overrated Tourism Minister Vera Kamtukule saying what is happening is a direct assault on the well-being of the citizens, depriving them of critical services.
The Leader of Opposition expressed worry that funds which could have been allocated for lifesaving medicines in hospitals, the remuneration of contractors, the support of pensioners, and the recruitment of primary school teachers, are being squandered.
Chaponda alleges that the ongoing corruption under Chakwera’s rule has created a system where funds are misappropriated to bribe musicians, retired politicians and conducting political rallies, a situation which is only benefiting 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,” said Chaponda.
He says the opposition will unwaveringly continue to fight against corruption and advocate for the rights of all Malawians and 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.
Adding that it is imperative that citizens take a stand for transparent governance.
Chaponda has also expressed worry with the civil society organisations who are now silent as compared to how they conducted themselves in pressurising the previous DPP regime.
“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,” he says calling all CSOs to rise up.
The call by Chaponda for immediate resignation of Secretary to the President, the Transport Minister and the Tourism Minister, are coming after reports indicate that the trio have been involved in dubious deals to buy fuel and sell the Likoma and Chizumulu Islands respectively.
During the recent 5th Meeting of the 50th Session of Parliament, Chaponda raised serious concerns regarding the government’s obstruction of discussions on crucial matters, including questionable fuel deals.
For instance in his closing remarks, he called for a comprehensive report on all fuel transactions conducted by the government over the past four years.
The demand was stemming from alarming reports that the Minister of Transport facilitated NOCMA’s procurement of fuel from Dubai.
While 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.
However on September 28, 2024, both the country’s leading print publications, vindicated Opposition on this deal, which every Malawian agrees that it was meant to defraud government.
Meanwhile government is refuting the claims that they wanted to defraud Malawians.
It has also described as baseless reports that Likoma Island is on sale.
The past four years of Chakwera’s rule has been characterized by questionable deals notably the procurement of fertiliser from a United Kingdom (UK) based butchery, if not forgetting of US$6 billion Bridging Foundation deal.
