President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has said he will not hesitate to fire any Cabinet Minister who will not respect fellow Ministers in the course of duties.
Mutharika said this at Kamuzu Palace in the capital Lilongwe during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-appointed Minister of Civic Education, Culture and Community Development Cecilia Chazama.
The President said he expects Cabinet ministers to respect each other and work on the principle of collective responsibility and confidentiality.
“I will not tolerate any minister who abuses or act in a manner which does not respect others. Such a minister will be out of the Cabinet in no time. The office demands confidentiality, hard work and integrity,” Mutharika said.
Mutharika’s statement reignited debate on the recent firing of Patricia Kaliti.
It is alleged that Mutharika fired Kaliati for allegedly being involved in a fight with DPP’s Secretary General Secretary General, Grizeder Jeffrey wa Jeffrey in Mulanje district last month.
It is indicated that Jeffrey failed to recognize Kaliati in her salutations during the rally and that did not please the fired minister who lambasted the party secretary general, questioning her position in the party.
Kaliati was heard shouting at Jeffrey “Kodi mwabwera liti muchipani inu?” (How long have you been in the party?) And the argument nearly spilled into a fight forcing current Minister of Information, Nicholas Dausi to intervene.
