The picture below shows Matola taking his oath as Energy Minister at Kamuzu Palace
There is mounting pressure for President Lazarus Chakwera to discipline his Energy Minister Ibrahim Matola for calling Malawians ‘Achule’ (frogs) for merely demanding the Malawi leader to cut his local and international travels as an austerity measure amidst the current economic crisis.
The latest to condemn Matola is Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives-CDEDI CDEDI that describes as very shameful to note that such demeaning words were spoken in the presence of the president.
In a statement, CDEDI says this is giving Malawians a picture that the president may as well be in support of it as he also once called Malawians cry babies during his speech.”
CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa argues it is wrong for the Tonse administration to start undermining those who put them in power.
Both Matola and President Chakwera have not made any comment since the issue came into light and created heated debate yesterday afternoon.
A few days ago, President Chakwera outlined at least 15 austerity measures that include cutting down travel expenditures to save the public resources and cushion the majority of Malawians currently facing harsh economic hardships with the high cost of living and the recent devaluation of the kwacha by 25 percent.
In March 2020, former president Dr. Joyce Banda condemned Matola for insulting former Malawi Electoral Commission-MEC Chairperson Dr. Jane Ansah when she told her during a National Elections Consultative Forum in Blantyre that she should leave the Commission and that they were ready to help her pack her “bras’ and panties”.
