New appointments mark key changes in President Arthur Peter Mutharika’s administration ahead of the swearing-in ceremony set for November 2 at BICC in Lilongwe.
By Burnett Munthali
President Arthur Peter Mutharika has made significant changes to his Cabinet, appointing Chimwemwe Chipungu as the new Minister of Defence.
The announcement was made through a statement issued on Friday, November 1, by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Justin Saidi.
According to the statement, the appointment has been made in accordance with the powers vested in the President under Section 91 of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi.
Chipungu’s appointment comes after his recent role as Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, a position in which he was credited for his hands-on approach and dedication to improving the country’s healthcare delivery systems.
In the same statement, President Mutharika also appointed Counsel Gabriel Chembezi as the new Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
Chembezi’s appointment, which takes immediate effect, signals the President’s renewed commitment to strengthening the fight against corruption and enhancing institutional integrity across government agencies.
The President expressed confidence that both Chipungu and Chembezi will bring professionalism, experience, and dedication to their new portfolios, contributing to the administration’s broader goal of promoting national security and good governance.
Meanwhile, the Office of the President and Cabinet has announced that President Mutharika will preside over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed ministers, deputy ministers, and the Attorney General.
The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 2, at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, and is expected to draw senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and other invited dignitaries.
These appointments are part of ongoing government efforts to strengthen leadership in key ministries and oversight institutions as Malawi navigates pressing security, governance, and development challenges.
Political analysts have noted that the timing of these appointments reflects President Mutharika’s strategy to reinforce stability within his administration while preparing for the next phase of policy implementation.
As the newly appointed officials prepare to take their oaths of office, public attention now turns to how their leadership will shape the country’s defence priorities and the ongoing fight against corruption in Malawi.
