Malawi’s president dissolves cabinet over corruption allegations

President Chakwera makes move amid allegations of corruption, nepotism, and economic mismanagement against his party.

Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has dissolved the country’s entire cabinet amid charges of corruption against several ministers, he announced in an address to the nation.

Late on Monday, President Chakwera said that he had decided to allow the three ministers and other public officers accused of corruption to face their charges.

“I have dissolved my entire cabinet effective immediately, and all the functions of cabinet revert to my office until I announce a reconfigured cabinet in two days,” Chakwera said in a national address.

He added that the reconfigured cabinet will exclude Minister of Lands Kezzie Msukwa, who was arrested last month in a bribery case.

Msukwa is accused of benefitting from land deals involving a UK-based Malawian businessman.

Meanwhile, Labour Minister Ken Kandodo is accused of diverting COVID-19 funds and Energy Minister Newton Kambala was accused of meddling in the awarding of fuel import deals.

ECM, an assembly of Malawi’s Catholic bishops, said authorities must ensure that no one is “pressurized, intimidated, or influenced” in the pursuit of justice.

“Let no suspect, however powerful, wealthy or who their connections are, be shielded or protected,” the bishops said in a statement.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES