BLANTYRE--Vice President Khumbo Kachali’s remark denouncing those who expressed concern that he and Pres Joyce Banda go on endless tours at the expense of cash-strapped taxpayers is tantamount to political suicide, according to political observers.

The analyst told one of the daily papers, The Nation, that the remarks are also a big blow to the president as well People’s Party (PP) led government.

Blessings Chinsinga, a Chancellor College, University of Malawi lecturer, says the vice president has damaged his political chances.

“Certainly, the remarks are a big blow and a big damage to the credibility of not only himself but the PP government,” Chinsinga is quoted as saying.

He furthers states that people will have questions if PP is different from the previous Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government where such arrogance was order of the day.

Henry Chingaipe, a Lilongwe based political analyst, asserts that such remarks, in any pulsating democratic system, are political suicide.

“Unfortunately, in our defective democratic system, there is a chance that he may survive this tide. However, if voters should be concerned with real public issues in deciding who they vote for, I would not be surprised if they should decide to vote out the VP,” he says.

Chingaipe further states that PP should devise ways of censuring irresponsible and insensitive statements its members are beginning to make.

Kachali’s remarks drew a backlash with some calling for him to step down.

Edge Kanyongolo, a constitutional expert who teaches law at Chancellor College, observes it's only threw impeachment that Kachali could be removed from office. 

“The president can’t fire him because the Constitution does not distinguish how one comes into the office, only if he was a second vice president. But as it is, he can only be removed through impeachment,” says Kanyongolo.
---
(c) The Maravi Post 2012. Reproduction without acknowledgement prohibited

Add attachment