MZUZU--Malawi’s former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has attacked the Banda administration, arguing it has failed to run the country.

The Blue camp, led by acting party president Peter Mutharika, said there was no rule of law, human rights abuses and the fertilizer subsidy program was being mishandled.

DPP wondered why Pres Banda appointed people who still have cases to answer.

“It is the view of the DPP that President Joyce Banda should not have appointed Atupele Muluzi, Ralph Kasambara and Dr Cassim Chilumpha to ministerial positions when she was fully aware that these individuals had not been cleared by a court of law.

“In addition, the Banda Administration has illegally removed individuals from public offices for political reasons and replaced them on the basis of political patronage and nepotism. Anti -Corruption Bureau Director Alexious Nampota was falsely arrested and subsequently dismissed apparently because it was believed that he was too close to the Mutharika administration.

“The Clerk of Parliament, Matlida Katopola, Malawi Revenue Authority Commissioner General, Lloyd Muhara, Chief Immigration Officer, Elvis Thodi and Reserve Bank Governor, Perks Ligoya are all examples of this unjustified dismissal of public officers from their positions.”

Speaking on fertilizer subsidy, DPP said this year’s program leaves a lot to be desired as at present no single coupon has been distributed despite being close to rainy season.

“The DPP is concerned that soon the first rains will start and the needy will still not be able to obtain the fertilizer.

“It is a cause of grave concern to the DPP that this problem has been aggravated by government’s deliberate move of cancelling the earlier tenders with an aim of awarding the contracts to PP sympathizers, who are now failing to bring fertilizer home because they have neither the capacity nor the experience for such an important program” the statement reads.

The statement has also tackled issues of university education and fees, press freedom, economic governance and declaration of assets of public issues.

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(c) The Maravi Post 2012. Reproduction without acknowledgement prohibited

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