Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda has trashed rumours hovering on social media claiming that President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has handed over leadership powers to state Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus chilima as he is United States of America.
President Chakwera left the country in the wee hours of Sunday to attend the the second US-Africa Leaders Summit 2022 at the invitation of President Joe Biden.
Upon leaving, Chilima was seen dismissing the guard of hounour at Kamuzu International Airport, attracting rumours that the Vice President is now in control of the country.
But the AG said the President was still in-charge despite being outside.
“Remember the President said that he has stopped delegating and that hasn’t been revoked. The problem is that people look at the physical presence, he [the President] is not physically present, but he is still in charge,” Nyirenda was quoted as saying in Nation Publications Limited of December 13, 2022.
Chakwera stopped delegating duties to the office of the Vice President in June this year after Chilima was implicated in corruption scandal involving well-known businessman Zunneth Sattar.
Two weeks ago the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested Chilima over the matter.
Chilima is yet to comment on the matter.
