By Staff Reporter
Chief Secretary to Government *Justin Saidi* has clarified that it is within the President’s prerogative to assign Second Vice President Enoch Chihana to chair a Cabinet meeting, amid public questions over the absence of First Vice President Justice Jane Ansah.
Saidi was responding to reports that Chihana presided over a Cabinet meeting in Lilongwe on Monday while Ansah was also in the city.
“The law allows the President to delegate the Second Vice President. It also allows the President to delegate the First Vice President,” Saidi said.
Asked why the First Vice President was not in attendance, he added: “I do not know anything on that. Check with her office.”
This publication has established from a reliable source that Justice Ansah is currently on medical rest and is therefore not available to preside over official meetings.
The First Vice President recently sustained an injury after a fall during a wreath-laying ceremony. She is recuperating and has been advised to limit public engagements.
Her Press Secretary, *Richard Mveliwa*, confirmed to this publication that the Vice President was in Blantyre but did not provide further details, citing privacy.
_“The Vice President is attending to her health and will resume duties once cleared by her doctors,”_ Mveliwa said.
On social media, speculation suggested that Ansah had been sidelined.
Our investigation however finds that the absence is due to health reasons and not any administrative decision.
President *Arthur Peter Mutharika* is reportedly in Blantyre, leaving Cabinet proceedings in Chihana’s hands for the session.
We wish the First Vice President a speedy recovery.
