By Burnett Munthali
President Lazarus Chakwera has declared that he will not be intimidated by critics as his administration works to revive Malawi’s struggling economy. Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon during a question-and-answer session, Chakwera defended his government’s efforts and accused the opposition of working with certain traders to destabilize the economy.
The president alleged that some business operators, in collaboration with his political opponents, were deliberately inflating the prices of essential goods such as food and household necessities to frustrate his administration. He described these actions as part of a “greedy and criminal cartel” whose primary aim was to undermine government policies and increase public dissatisfaction.
“We are aware of what is happening. Some traders, together with opposition figures, are deliberately making life harder for Malawians by artificially raising prices. My administration will not allow this to continue. We will take action to protect the people from economic sabotage,” Chakwera stated firmly.
As part of his government’s strategy to curb price manipulation and restore economic stability, President Chakwera announced the immediate dismissal of Trade and Industry Minister Sosten Gwengwe. He has since appointed former Labour Minister Vitumbiko Mumba as Gwengwe’s replacement, signaling a shift in approach towards economic recovery and market regulation.
According to Chakwera, the reshuffle is a crucial step in his administration’s commitment to breaking the alleged cartel that is driving up costs and making life unbearable for ordinary Malawians. He emphasized that his government would continue to implement policies aimed at stabilizing the economy and ensuring fair trade practices.
The president’s remarks come at a time when Malawi is facing soaring inflation, a weakening currency, and a rising cost of living, which have put immense pressure on citizens. The opposition has persistently criticized Chakwera’s administration, accusing it of mismanaging the economy and failing to control rising commodity prices.
While Chakwera remains steadfast in his resolve to fight economic sabotage, his administration faces the challenge of restoring public confidence and effectively addressing the financial hardships that many Malawians are currently experiencing. Whether the dismissal of Gwengwe and the appointment of Mumba will yield the desired economic turnaround remains to be seen. However, Chakwera’s strong stance signals his determination to assert control over the situation and push forward with his government’s economic recovery agenda.
