President Arthur Peter Mutharika has defended his decision to delegate officials to represent him at selected state functions, describing the practice as a constitutional measure aimed at promoting efficiency and reducing public expenditure.
The development comes amid criticism from governance experts and civil society leaders, who have argued that Mutharika’s continued practice of delegating ministers to represent him at key public functions, while largely sidelining his vice presidents, risks diminishing the relevance and visibility of the Vice President’s office and creating uncertainty about the role of the country’s second-highest office.
However, Mutharika, through a press statement signed by Chief Secretary Justin Adack Saidi, said the Constitution empowers the President to delegate responsibilities and representation whenever he deems it appropriate and necessary, and added that he delegates representation to the most relevant and appropriate official depending on the nature and objectives of a particular function.
According to the Chief Secretary, Mutharika is guided by principles of efficiency, relevance, and prudent stewardship of public resources, adding that the approach reflects his commitment to fiscal discipline and the government’s austerity agenda.
“In exercising this constitutional authority, His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika is guided by the principles of efficiency, relevance, and prudent stewardship of public resources. As a steadfast champion of fiscal discipline and austerity, the President remains committed to ensuring that every public expenditure delivers maximum value to Malawians and reflects the prevailing economic realities facing the nation,” reads part of the statement.
The statement further stressed that the President’s decisions are not motivated by indifference or ill-will, but are deliberate efforts to ensure value for money while maintaining effective governance.
“Such decisions are not motivated by malice, indifference, or ill-will, but are deliberate measures aimed at promoting efficient governance, reducing unnecessary public expenditure, and demonstrating leadership by example in the implementation of the Government’s austerity agenda,” the statement added.
Additionally, the OPC also dismissed as false claims circulating on social media alleging that Mutharika did not chair the Cabinet meeting held on May 27, 2026, at State House and had instead delegated a Cabinet minister to preside over it.
The statement described the claims as fabricated and misleading, maintaining that Mutharika personally convenes and chairs Cabinet meetings in line with his constitutional mandate.
“The President personally convenes and chairs Cabinet meetings in accordance with his constitutional mandate and responsibilities. Any suggestion to the contrary is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, undermine confidence in the Presidency, and create unnecessary speculation. Such conduct is not only regrettable but also unpatriotic,” reads another part of the statement.
The government has since called upon all Malawians to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of expression responsibly and to refrain from spreading falsehoods, misinformation, and unverified claims which it says erode public trust in national institutions.
