Foreign Affairs Minister Eisenhower Mkaka has backed the hiring of Vice President Saulos Chilima’s mother-in-law as the head of the Malawi mission in Zambia, a move that has led to accusations of nepotism by the Tonse led administration.

On Monday the government released a list of names of diplomats ready to serve in different countries and strengthen bilateral relations.

Magret Kamoto, who is the mother of Chilima’s wife Mary Chilima, has since been appointed to head the Malawi mission in Lusaka, Zambia.

The development follows reports that all diplomats at Malawi missions in Pretoria, South Africa were declared persona non grata on accusations that they were smuggling alcohol bought duty-free.

However, the appointment of Kamoto sparked debate as Tonse Alliance was at the forefront criticizing the former governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for giving public positions to relatives and tribesmen.

Responding to the claims during the press briefing on Monday, Mkaka argued that all Kamoto has been hired on merit and not because she is Chilima’s mother-in-law.

“Those people that have followed her track record will agree with me that she is an achiever,” he said.

He added that Chakwera has appointed qualified Malawians to represent this country in embassies.
He said: “We looked at qualification, moral ground, and moral capital to represent this country. This is because what has happened in South Africa has taught us Chakwera has so far appointed 19 new ambassadors, six of whom have been confirmed.

Those appointed include retired judge Esme Chombo, Wezi Moyo, Leornard Mengezi, Joseph Mpinganjira, Agness Mary Chimbiri, former first lady Callista Mutharika, Charles Peter Msosa, and Kwacha Chisiza.