By Chisomo Phiri
Former Minister of Trade and an independent Member of Parliament(MP ) for Mzimba Central Constituency, Vitumbiko Mumba, has expressed gratitude to his family, political colleagues, church leaders and supporters following a court decision granting him bail.
Speaking to 247 Malawi News after his release, Mumba thanked a wide range of individuals and groups who stood by him during his time in police custody.
He said these include his family and friends, clergy from the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Nkhoma and Livingstonia Synods some of whom travelled from northern region as well as pastors from various churches.
Mumba also acknowledged alumni from the Malawi Polytechnic, Phwezi Boys Secondary School and Robert Laws Secondary School, church members from CCAP, fellow independent MPs, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) MPs from the Central Region, MCP National Executive Committee members, and former Vice President Khumbo Kachali, whom he singled out for visiting him while he was in custody.
He said he has confidence in Malawi’s judiciary and pledged to respect the outcome of the legal process.
“I believe in our judiciary and I will respect the outcome of this process,” he said.
Meanwhile, the former minister reiterated that he remains on a 90-day political hiatus, which he now intends to extend for a further 90 days.
He explained that the decision is partly meant to allow the current government time to stabilise.
According to Mumba, public commentary by himself or former president Lazarus Chakwera at this stage could be misinterpreted as bitterness following the change of government.
He criticised what he described as a lack of policy coherence in the current administration’s economic approach, arguing that there is a contradiction between its campaign promises and actions in Parliament.
“The campaign and manifesto were anchored on a welfare government or economy, but what we are seeing in Parliament is an austerity government and economy.
“An austerity budget was presented, yet it still contains many freebies. This shows a lack of clear economic direction, and no development partner or donor can support such an unclear welfare budget,” said Mumba.
He said he would only begin offering constructive guidance once the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)–led government, which he referred to in his remarks, has ‘found its feet’.
In closing, the former trade minister quoted reggae icon Bunny Wailer, citing lyrics from the song The Conqueror: “When a lion is resting, never you try to wake him.”
The case involving Mumba is still before the courts.
