Muluzi dismisses impeachment charges

Malawi former President Dr Bakili Muluzi has said his opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) has no plans on their agenda to oust President Bingu wa Mutharika through an impeachment if Speaker expels lawmakers deemed to have contravened a constitutional provision in Section 65 which forbids ditching sponsoring parties in the National Assembly.

Muluzi was speaking today (Thursday) at Chileka Airport in the commercial city of Blantyre on arrival from United Kingdom where he was on vacation.

“The issue of section 65 is a constitutional matter there is nothing to debate about,” said Muluzi to a cheering crowd.

The UDF National Chairman said it was mere propaganda from government that if Speaker implements section 65 and expels defecting legislators mostly from the minority government, then the opposition would move in to oust Mutharika with an impeachment bid.

“UDF has no any intention whatsoever to impeach President Mutharika, our focus is on 2009 general elections when we will oust him through democratic means of a ballot,” Muluzi enthused.

He blamed the government for political mechanisation of using traditional leaders, pastors and public media to castigate the opposition on section 65 and creating an impression that the budget is at risk.

Muluzi told supporters clad in their yellow party colours that President Mutharika should use his position as a leader to spearhead a process of pacifying the political instability through dialogue with the opposition.

“Bingu (Mutharika) should show that he is a leader and should not be intimidated by threats of impeachment. This is the same way it used to be when I was President. I was told that my government would not last for six months.”

“The onus is on Mutharika to sort out the crisis by dialogue and mediation,” advised Muluzi.

Meanwhile, the former President after arrival went straight to Ntonda, the residence of former minister of economic planning, David Faiti who died earlier in the week. Muluzi in sombre mood joined mourners and offered condolences to the bereaved. He is set to attend burial ceremony tomorrow (Friday).