SONA defense: Chakwera unveils new Minister amid economic turmoil

President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera addressed the nation today tackling various issues and defending his administration’s record during the Presidential Question Time. His speech came amid growing criticism from the opposition regarding the accuracy of his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

As he took the podium, Chakwera vehemently defended his SONA, dismissing opposition claims that it was riddled with falsehoods. He emphasized that the data presented was thoroughly verified and based on inputs from multiple government technocrats. This assertion was crucial in establishing the credibility of his administration’s report.

However, Chakwera also acknowledged that a small percentage of the reported data approximately 2% contained errors due to misclassification by a team of five technocrats. He revealed that one of the technocrats was dismissed as a result, but maintained that these errors were not intentional. This admission demonstrated his commitment to transparency and accountability.

Moreover, Chakwera condemned the opposition’s propensity for false accusations, citing past allegations against him, including bribery, political arrests, and even assassination. He stressed the need for fairness and integrity in political discourse, emphasizing that such accusations undermine the country’s democratic processes.

The President then shifted his focus to his administration’s achievements, highlighting completed and ongoing projects such as school blocks, ICT labs, police units, hospitals, and infrastructure improvements across the country.

In an effort to uphold transparency and accountability, Chakwera formally withdrew the erroneous data from the official parliamentary record. He requested that the rest of the SONA be adopted, showcasing his administration’s dedication to accuracy and truth.

Chakwera also challenged the Leader of Opposition to retract his claim that the SONA was entirely false. He argued that integrity and good governance demand fairness in political discourse and that opposition leaders should be held to the same standards.

The President expressed his disappointment that opposition parties were more focused on attacking him than addressing Malawi’s pressing challenges, particularly hunger and economic instability. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to tackle these issues, urging politicians to put aside their differences and work towards the common good.

In a shocking revelation, Chakwera disclosed that government intelligence had uncovered a conspiracy involving certain Asian traders and an opposition party. The alleged conspiracy aimed to artificially inflate commodity prices, creating economic distress for political gain.

To combat this issue, Chakwera vowed to take decisive action against the so-called price manipulation cartel. He said that he will not be intimidated by economic elites attempting to undermine the country’s sovereignty. As part of his response to the economic crisis, Chakwera announced the immediate appointment of Honourable Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba as the new Minister of Trade and Industry.