By Staff Contributor
Renowned private practice lawyer Benedicto Kondowe has silenced Malawi Congress Party (MCP) officials Jessie Kabwila and Moses Kunkuyu over their claims that there is a leadership vacuum following President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s private trip to South Africa.
Kondowe, who is also Chairperson of the National Advocacy Platform (NAP), has dismissed the claims saying they lack any legal backing.
He was reacting to sentiments made by the two MCP senior officials at a press briefing in Lilongwe where they argued that Vice President Jane Ansah must address the nation on the whereabouts of President Mutharika.
According to Kondowe, Section 79 of the Constitution defines the Vice-President’s mandate, while Section 92(3) provides for her role in presiding over Cabinet meetings during the President’s temporary absence.
“Neither provision suggests that the President’s travel necessarily requires the Vice-President to address the nation,” said Kondowe.
Kondowe said MCP’s call, although constitutionally permissible, is unnecessary and potentially misleading.
“The President’s private travel does not create a leadership vacuum, neither does it constitute a failure to discharge his constitutional responsibilities nor automatically transfer presidential powers to the Vice-President,” he said.
He maintained that government is an institution that does not merely rely on the physical presence of the President to operate.
“The Presidency remains capable of addressing national concerns through established institutional arrangements. Against this background, MCP’s call risks creating an unwarranted perception of a constitutional or leadership vacuum where none has been demonstrated. The focus should be on the Government’s effectiveness,” said Kondowe.
President Mutharika left Malawi on October 6 this year for a brief private stay in South Africa, two days after he addressed the nation to mark his 1-year stay in office.
In his address, Mutharika highlighted achievements of his Administration which include stabilizing the economy by reducing prices of essential commodities like maize to at least K45,000 per 50kg bag of maize.
In a year, Mutharika’s Administration has also seen inflation dropping to at least 19% as of September this year from about 27% the same period last year.
