A survey by the center of social concern has revealed that the cost of living in Malawi has risen drastically in the past year.

This has added weight to what commentators have said about President Banda’s financial policies that included the devaluation of the local currency and what others had predicted of the impact of the Cashgate scandal which has as well contributed to Malawi losing some donor partners and now having to survive mostly on borrowing.

The survey has indicated that in the past year, the cost of living has shot higher unlike the way it did in the past years.

The shortage of the staple food, maize, among others has been attributed to the increase in the cost of living.

The survey might hit hard on President Banda’s government that will be facing elections in May.