By Burnett Munthali | Malawi Freedom Network
President Lazarus Chakwera has strongly refuted assertions from some sections of society that he has failed as a leader, describing such claims as malicious and baseless.
Speaking during a political rally at Hilltop Market in Mzuzu City on Friday, Chakwera pointed out that despite numerous challenges his administration has faced, including natural disasters like floods, his government has remained committed to delivering timely support and relief to affected citizens.
He emphasized that infrastructure development in the northern region was evidence enough that his leadership has not failed. “If my government has failed, what is Mzuzu Civic Office? What about the youth centre? Even the Mzuzu University library are still being constructed,” Chakwera said.
The President further addressed recent economic hardships, including the scarcity of sugar and fuel in the country. He claimed that these shortages are deliberately orchestrated by selfish individuals seeking to tarnish the image of his administration.
“Even the issue of shortage of sugar and fuel, they are all ploys by some selfish people who want to make my government look like a failure,” Chakwera told the crowd.
Echoing Chakwera’s sentiments was Malawi Congress Party (MCP) running mate and Minister of Trade, Vitumbiko Mumba, who blamed some unscrupulous traders for sabotaging the economy.
Mumba accused some traders of hoarding essential commodities and failing to adhere to agreed pricing standards in order to create artificial scarcities and inflate prices. He warned that the government is monitoring the situation and will not hesitate to take legal action.
“We know what you are doing. Even you who are selling cement, if you dare not comply to standards that we have agreed on so that prices do not soar and there is no scarcity, Chakwera will come after you,” said Mumba.
He further warned those involved in such schemes that the government was ready to act decisively. “These people are hiding essential goods so that they should make Chakwera look bad, but we are coming for them; we are not afraid to take them to court,” he stressed.
The event at Hilltop Market marked the final stop of President Chakwera’s campaign tour of Mzuzu City.
Earlier in the day, he had addressed residents at Mgozga in Nkhata Bay, as well as at Area 1B and Kavibale Markets within Mzuzu.
The President’s remarks appear to be a direct response to increasing criticism of his leadership ahead of the upcoming general elections.
