BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa, has urged Malawians to carefully consider whether former President Lazarus Chakwera should continue receiving taxpayer-funded benefits after leaving office.
Speaking during a press briefing in Blantyre on Monday, Namiwa sharply criticized Chakwera’s administration, citing issues of corruption, favoritism, theft, and mismanagement.
He stressed that government institutions need to thoroughly investigate the administration’s actions to determine whether any wrongdoing occurred during Chakwera’s tenure.
Namiwa explained that only if investigations confirm the absence of misconduct can public respect and justification for continued benefits be restored.
He warned that without such confirmation, it is difficult to justify providing former leaders with public resources, especially when significant damage was caused under their administration.
As an example, Namiwa highlighted that approximately K67 billion was misused within just six months, alongside instances of destruction of public property.
He questioned whether leaders responsible for such mismanagement should continue to enjoy taxpayer-funded benefits, suggesting that accountability must be prioritized.
Chakwera, who assumed office as Malawi’s president on June 20, 2020, was recently defeated in the presidential election held on September 16 this year.
The remarks from CDEDI underscore ongoing debates in Malawi regarding the accountability of former leaders and the appropriate use of public funds.
Namiwa concluded that ensuring transparency and holding past administrations accountable is essential to restoring public trust and preventing future misuse of state resources.
