By Suleman Chitera
Economic hardships have forced the government to delay full-scale rehabilitation works on the vandalized property at Kamuzu Palace, which was damaged during the September power transition between the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
State House spokesperson Cathy Maulidi confirmed that the administration has been unable to commence comprehensive repairs due to limited resources. She did not disclose the total amount required for the full rehabilitation but stressed that government efforts are currently focused on fixing essential areas to enable President Peter Mutharika to start using the residence.
“We are prioritizing the key items needed for His Excellency to begin staying at the State House,” Maulidi told Zodiak Online. She added that the remaining repairs will be undertaken gradually once the President settles in, although she could not specify when that will be.
Meanwhile, political analyst Vincent Rangel has called for intensified investigations into the alleged vandalism, urging both the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to handle the matter with urgency.
The national police spokesperson, Lael Chimtembo, has however appealed for patience from the public, stressing that law enforcement officers need space and adequate time to conduct professional investigations.
Reports indicate that following the September 16 elections, some State House staff members allegedly vandalized property at Kamuzu Palace. The former governing party, MCP, has distanced itself from the incident, saying it had no knowledge of the alleged misconduct.
As the government navigates financial hurdles and ongoing inquiries, the timeline for restoring the iconic presidential residence remains uncertain.
