LILONGWE, April 6 (Xinhua) — The Malawi government on Friday night declared that Vice President Joyce Banda illegible to take over the reigns of leadership in any event that President Mutharika is incapacitated or deceased as per the constitutional requirement citing the fact that she formed her own party as the reason.
The declaration was made by Information Minister Patricia Kaliati late Friday evening flanked by five other ministers including the health minister, the local government minister and the youth minister.
Kaliati’s remarks came following the Vice President’s press briefing held on Friday that she was kept in the dark as to what would be the way forward now that President Mutharika was critically ill and receiving medical attention in South Africa.
“As government we are very concerned with the Vice President’s remarks and those of the former president that she (Joyce Banda) is supposed to take over leadership following the president’s illness,” said Kaliati.
“She speaks as if there is a vacancy in the seat of presidency which is very unfortunate because by the virtue that the Vice President started her own political party makes her illegible to take over in such situation,” said Kaliati.
The member of cabinet however did not mention anything about the present condition of the President Mutharika who was flown to South Africa on Thursday night following a cardiac arrest, saying more on the hot issue would be revealed Saturday. The government’s stand on the Vice President followed comments from Malawi Law Society (MLS), civil society organizations (CSOs) and former President Bakili Muluzi who earlier on Friday respectively called for the government to allow Joyce Banda take over the country’s presidential role in interim capacity following Mutharika’s absence in office.
Malawi constitution stipulates that where the sitting president becomes incapacitated or deceased the Vice President should take over the role of presidency for the remaining period of a term until elections are held.
Hospital sources’ confirmation and international media reports indicated Friday that President Mutharika had succumbed to death following the Thursday’s cardiac arrest. The Malawi government has so far not officially announced the death of Mutharika.
Malawi Gov’t Declares Vice President Joyce Banda Illegible For Taking Over Power added by on
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Ba tumfweko am deleting this bookmark. U think we are stupid giving us old news and jst wasting kilobytes n time on this crap. Where were all along when the story came out and all the developements where happening?? Atsay…
Let women also rise and shine.viva mama viva…
is the malawian vice president part of the cabinet,if not what is her power and who does she report to?
Malawians be carefull in handling the case of who should take over the role of the first office.Nevertheless, the constitution is very clear.However, when it comes to election never go for JB. Our RB promised to continue on the legacy of Levy, to our suprise the state was turned into a family arrangement where James and Henry became more powerful than cabinet ministers.Please ba mbuya learn from us Zambians.
Let Malawians decide the way forward for themselves.
A Patricia Kaliati, zauchitsiru basi.! Kodi constitution yathu ya ife a Malawi ikuti chiyani? Tiyeni tonse a Malawi pa mbuyo pa Banda Joyce. Ameneyo ndi anzake a china Vuwa Kaunda (all the handclappers) akagwere uko. Shupiti demeti zochitika zaozo.
Batumfweko please allow sensitive comments only… Take yo time to delete nosense comments like the first comment. We resist the culture of insults besides if u feel its old news better u shut up.
A malabi, let mama Joyce Banda rule.follow yo constitution alase….chopeti…
Tumfweko a constructive criticism if I may please can we ensure that you use the correct words in your headlines and reports. The heading above uses the word Illegible which means unreadable I suppose the intended word is ineligible which means disqualified. We relay on the accuracy of your reporting and please continue with the good work you are doing.
@Mark 2…use correct words too.We rely on…not relay..LOL
Witty thank you for the correction
malawi pliz, pick zambia as an xample. Mark 2 u r da man
Wow! Love your response Mark 2 – mature.
Balange mayo wandi.
I agree wth ka luvale frm above,gud comment.
Not anymore. Their law society suggests their premature announcement is tantamount to treason.
may the good lord intervene,
Ndaima pano paphiri kuyang’ana ku malawi,zinthu zimene sizinachitike kuyambira kale mkazi kukhala president. Tidzaone mnene zikhalire.
What is ‘illegible’?
From Nyasa Times.
Malawi’s Joyce Banda takes presidential oath
By Lucky Mkandawire and Rabecca Chimjeka,
Malawi’s Vice-President Joyce Banda has been sworn in as president following the death of Bingu wa Mutharika.
Her Excellency Banda, 61, became Malawi’s first female head of state after taking the oath before parliament in the Malawian capital, Lilongwe.
“I will well and truly perform the functions of the high office of the president of the Republic of Malawi,” Banda said as she recited the oath of office.
Parliament erupted into shouts of joy but some ministers were seen wiping away tears.
The swearing-in ceremony was delayed after some ministers had plotted to cling to power and install Peter Mutharika as Head Of State.
But others led by Transport Minister Sidik Mia resisted and called for Constitutional order.
Mia also went o Chief Justice Lovemore Munlo asking her to allow the transition takes place legally.
Banda e has promised that there will be no retribution. She says this is an opportunity to heal the wounds in our country.
I also acertain that Malawi should learn from Zambia ,the next term in 2014 they should not vote for this woman.She has no vision to run the State,remember women progress to some hights not on their own probably just a third achieve higher position. Majority they are always backed by male countparts and inreturn they pay in kind even their body can bring to them security and comfort.A lot of people will take this commment as a bit pill,but its a fact.
Has America who pushs African state got a famale prisdent?She has just chanced for free no effort.
This prophat TB Joshua has something to do with astronomy and NOT Christianty.Read the BIBLE and worship with the church that preach the truth,uses the BIBLE to interprete,here litle there little.
Viva mama Banda,you can do it.After all BEHIND EVERY SUCCESSFUL MAN IS A WOMAN.Viva a chimwene,bauze bamvesese lelo ayeelelelele woman power.
Ba Tupulikeko, the woman is ored on top. Be updated. Kupusa
We wish mama Banda a prosperous presidency over the gallant malawi govt.Ignore those talkative jealousy womenfolk bent on bringing confusion to the already polarised republic. May all Malawians mourn their departed leader in peace and sanity.
Joyce Banda is now presido of Nyasaland. The speed and the cost of her ascension to Head of State shud be a wake up call to us Zambians. The Running Mate thingy is good. It is cheap – No by election, No taking of your friend’s body around the provinces, No ECZ involved. Cheap, Effective, Progressive. Happy Easter!
IFE AMALAWI SITILI MONGA ANZATHU AKU ZAMBIA AMENE ANOGTUKWANA NTHAWI ZONSE .IFE TIYENI TIAONETSE MNENE ZINTHU ZIYENERA KUKHALIRA.TIYE MAYI BANDA.
sembe anzeko joyce lungu ndafya abanda sivintu e.g. ruphia banda, william banda sivintu olo pang’ono peka awe shuwa!!!!!!!!!!!
Good mama
Lero Mai ali pampando bwanji a Malawi mukungo nong’oneza mabondo enanu mwasiya kusamba ndi sopo too expensive bonya nde ndiwo everyday kwacha yavina mapeto siinati, intrest rates too high for a common malawian. busineses down, no forex what next? how on earth are we going to create employment for our children??? a malawi ganizani bwino mu 2016 zili kwainu I rest my case