Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera has announced a new cabinet which includes some new faces, days after he fired his entire executive on Monday in the wake of a corruption storm involving some of his former top lieutenants.
In the new cabinet list announced by Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Zanga Zanga Chikosi said Samuel Kawale replaces corruption-accused Kezzie Msukwa as Malawi’s new lands minister, while businessman Mark Phiri comes in as minister of trade and industry, taking over from Sosten Gwengwe.
Vera Kamtukule was promoted to labour minister, while Abida Mia was elevated to water and sanitation minister. Kamtukule and Mia were previously deputy labour and deputy lands ministers, respectively.
Chakwera dissolved his entire cabinet this week following a public outcry over rising corruption among his ministers.
Msukwa was suspended earlier this month amid allegations that he took bribes from a prominent businessman in exchange for access to prime land.
Two other ministers were fired late last year, also over corruption allegations.
More appointments would be made soon, Chakwera’s office said.
The following is the list of cabinet ministers appointed so far:
Lobin Lowe – Agriculture
Michael Usi – Tourism, Culture and Wildlife
Samuel Kawale – Lands
Mark Phiri – Trade and Industry
Vera Kamtukule – Labour
Abida Mia – Water and Sanitation
Patricia Kaliati – Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare
Titus Mvalo – Justice
Agnes Nyalonje – Education
Khumbidze Chiponda – Health
Jacob Hara – Transport
Blessings Chinsinga – Local Government
JN/APA