Malawi President announces strict government expenditure measures

President Lazarus Chakwera has announced strict expenditure measures which government Ministries, Agencies and Departments have to follow.

The measures include restrictions on foreign trips for all government officials for the period between June and December this year.

They are a result of the current situation following the devaluation of the Kwacha which was meant to improve inflow of forex

Some of the notable measures include slashing by 20 percent of fuel allocated to ministers, reduction to three international trips by government officials and restricting four meetings per year for all boards of government institutions.

“No government section will be allowed to procure a vehicle,” Chakwera

Chakwera appointed Miss Colleen Zamba as Secretary to President and Cabinet, replacing Zanga-Zanga Chikhosi.

The Malawi leader refused to relieve the suspects of corruption saying he abides by the law as they have not been found guilty by the court

However Chakwera had fired minister of lands, labour and other government officials who were implicated in various corruption scandals

Meanwhile, United Democratic Front UDF has expressed dismay with the president’s failure to relieve from duty government officials who were mentioned in the ongoing corruption charges against Zuneth Satar.

UDF spokesperson Yusuf Mwawa said “the president was supposed to allow responsible authorities to conduct their investigations freely.”

Mwawa also expressed doubt on the implementation of austerity measures that the president announced.