Energy Minister Ibrahim Matola on Wednesday failed to take advantage of a press conference to apologise to Malawians over his ‘a chule’ remarks.
Matola organised a press conference alongside Escom and Egenco top officials on some development within the energy sector.
At the press conference, when a Mzati FM journalist asked Matola on whether he was apologising, in an apparent pre-scripted response, director of information Chikumbutso Mtumodzi dismissed him-off.
“This is a professional set up, let us remain professionals and leave politics out of set up,” said Mtumodzi.
Matola’s sentiments has drawn fury, with many Malawians taking to the social media demanding either apology or resignation.
Centre for Democracy and Development Initiative Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa also called President Lazarus Chakwera to discipline the minister.
Political analyst Humphreys Mvula said by describing as frogs those calling for adherence to austerity measures, Matola was working against Chakwera.
“It means that the President is left alone in driving implementation of the austerity measures. It shows Matola doesn’t have a buy-in on the implementing the measures and it speaks badly for him,” he said.
And in its editorial on Wednesday, The Nation said calling Malawians frogs, because they are pointing out the wrongs in government was an insult.
“Importantly, it is Malawians, whose hard earned taxes make it possible for government, including Matola, to transact their business,” wrote the award winning paper.
Meanwhile, President Chakwera through his spokesperson Anthony Kasunda, has distanced himself from Matola’s sentiments.
