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isturbed with deteriorating living conditions of Malawians due to harsh economic conditions, poor infrastructure and stagnating fight on corruption, the clergy through Public Affairs Committee want to meet President Lazarus Chakwera again.

PAC says it wants the President to come out clear on the country’s economic recovery plan and who is dragging the fight against corruption.

The group also wants Chakwera to name, shame and act on all those he claims have been sabotaging his administration on development.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, PAC spokesperson Bishop Gilford Matonga said while there has been action on some recommendations that the group made during its previous meetings, a lot still requires attention; hence, a follow up meeting with Chakwera.

He said: “We know the government has a strategy on the economy, but is that narrative known to Malawians? Malawians are still feeling the pinch! Prices of goods continue rising, while people’s incomes remain the same. Life is too hard for the common Malawian.

Chakwera with PAC member during the previous meeting

“On corruption, we have had so many arrests with no progress, no hearing in the court and you wonder what is wrong. Who is to blame? We want to see a collective response to that! Is it the courts? The government has to tell Malawians where the wheels of justice are stopping on corruption.”

Besides lamenting the deteriorating trends on infrastructure development, Matonga wondered why the government was not acting on those alleged to have been sabotaging development endeavours.

He said: “They say infrastructure projects are being hindered by particular individuals, let us name them instead of just, saying people are sabotaging development. Lets’ name who this person is, let’s call a spade a spade!”

PAC executive director Robert Phiri confirmed the meeting, but could not provide specific dates.

“However, apart from meeting the President, plans are in the pipeline for an all-inclusive stakeholders meeting to bring together economic, political and social think tanks to discuss various challenges facing the country,” he said.

Presidential press secretary Anthony Kasunda said yesterday the President was ready to meet PAC.

“Since assuming office, the President has met the Public Affairs Committee board more than six times and the President has made it clear that he is open to dialogue with the religious body at any opportune time,” he said.

However, political and governance analysts feel that while such interactions are crucial, very little has changed from numerous previous meetings. They have also asked PAC to set realistic deadlines with the State House.

Governance expert Mavuto Bamusi said such meetings are crucial because they help to provide direct checks and balances on the presidency and act as an early warning sign for the incumbents if concerns are not addressed.

He said: “PAC should consider publicising areas of progress and where there is no progress based on previous meetings. It should also set realistic deadlines with the State House on commitments and empower citizens to hold the government accountable on key resolutions.” 

Bamusi, who served as an aide to former president Peter Mutharika, agreed with PAC that corruption continues to deepen, abuse of public funds has increased and that austerity measures are not adequately adhered to.

Political analyst Wonderful Mkhutche said if the status quo is the yardstick, previous meetings have not yielded much, saying Malawi needs an active presidency and governance system.

“PAC has been in this for long and is able to know what can work and cannot. They need to be honest with the President. Everything rests on the President. PAC can only suggest, but the President has the power to put life into those suggestions,” he said.

In January 2022, the quasi-religious grouping also met the President at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre and raised several governance concerns.

PAC gave the President a 90-day ultimatum to, among others, reshuffle his Cabinet and dismiss ministers suspected of involvement in corruption.

PAC also asked Chakwera to fire then Secretary to the President and Cabinet Zanga-Zanga Chikhosi on the basis that his decisions had eroded public trust in him.

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