Traditional Authority Masumbankhunda of Lilongwe on Saturday took a swipe at critics of President Peter Mutharika.
He said giving Mutharika deadlines to address issues of national concern is lack of respect.
“Let’s respect the president. You cannot be giving him deadlines of 90 days. Do you think you can remove the president from his office in the way you do when you want to remove a tooth [from your mouth when it has gone bad]?” the chief said.
He was speaking at Demera during the elevation ceremony of Lotani Njereza Chilozi, from the position of Traditional Authority (T/A) Kabudula to Senior Chief. He assumed the position of T/A on September 19, 1998.
Chief Masumbankhunda was clearly referring to calls made by delegates to the 5th Public Affairs Committee (Pac) all-inclusive stakeholders meeting which took place in Blantyre in February. They told Mutharika to resolve the concerns or resign within 90 days.
Apart from highlighting the issue of deadlines given to Mutharika, the traditional leader also said by elevating Chief Kabudula, Mutharika showed that he is a leader for all Malawians.
“This is the Central Region. By promoting Chief Kabudula, you have responded to those who say you are not interested in this region,” he said.
At the ceremony, apart from Mutharika, other high-profile personalities present were Vice-President Saulos Chilima, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Lazarus Chakwera and a representative of Kalonga Gawa Undi, King of the Chewa people.
Democratic Progresive Party (DPP) Secretary General Eckleni Kudomtoni, who was given an opportunity to speak, continued the political path taken by Kabudula.
“T/A Masumbankhunda has taken words out of my mouth. Let me remind all that powers to elevate chiefs is with President Mutharika. I ask all chiefs to support him,” Kudomtoni said.
In his speech, Mutharika, said there were some political parties who want government to stop construction of Old Airport- Kasiya-Santhe Road.
“Some political parties are saying we should stop construction of this road. They say that is a waste of resources. They are saying we should redirect resources to other areas,” Mutharika said.
Mutharika also dwelt on encouraging the chief to be honest, patriotic and hardworking.
“Continue loving your people. Be an upright chief. Don’t tolerate corruption. You are a chief with integrity,” he said.
According to Mutharika, Kabudula’s elevation is with effect from March 20, 2016.
At the ceremony, Mutharika promised the people that he will continue buying maize from other countries to ease the current food shortages. He, however, encouraged Malawians to do more on food diversification.
The President also took advantage of the gathering to condemn attack on people with albinism.
He, however, ended on a political note, promising the people that he will be back in the area for a political rally.
Seemingly responding to the indirect attacks the party was subjected to, as the vehicles were leaving the venue, some MCP members, swarmed Chakwera’s vehicle. They chanted ‘Chakwera yemweyo, kuti wa!wa!wa!”
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