Stocktaking 100 of Joyce Banda's Presidency

Malawi’s new president, Joyce Banda, clocks 100 days in office on Saturday Since took over power after the sudden death of president Bingu wa Mutharika. Since she took over the power, The Iron lady as she is called changed many of her predecessor's policies and laws which had cost the country much needed foreign aid.

But Malawians are divided on their assessment on the new president and.
There are mix reactions on whether President Joyce Banda is as good leader as the international community thinks she is.

This the stocktaking of 100 days of Joyce Banda’s presidency by the opposition parties, Civil society and the public.

CIVIL SOCIETY
Renowned political science activist Ben Chiza Mkandawire blamed Banda for not fulfilling constitutional mandates like coming forth in the open and publicly declare her assets saying such behavior promotes corruption among leaders.

Mkandawire argued if Banda was a good leader who want to improve the economy of the country she could have followed what Section 88 (1) of the Constitution of the republic of Malawi says , which stipulates that the president and members of cabinet must disclose all their assets, liabilities and business interest - as well as those of their spouses or any assets that are held on their behalf upon election or appointment.

“Such a declaration is supposed to be made in writing three months of their election or appointment .Recently the president celebrated her 100 days in office and dedicated it to the Malawian people. But such dedication one would expect the president to fulfill certain constitutional mandate like declaring her assets”. Wondered Kandawire.

Mkandawire said President Banda is not honoring her promises she made to Malawians once she was appointed

“ President Joyce Banda promised Malawians that she will rid the country of any corrupt practices by promoting mechanisms and institutions that will help combat corruption, little did we Malawians know that we were being hoodwinked yet again as she continues to fret and lag on the decision to declare her assets even after the tree months period mandate by the constitution is over” worried Mkandawire.

Mkandawire reminded Banda that she should remember that she not wholly voted into office but rather she became president by virtue of Section 87 of Malawi constitution which reads in part “ (1) Whenever the President is incapacitated so as to be unable to discharge the powers and duties of that office, the First Vice President shall act as President until such time, in the President’s term of office.”

Mkandawire therefore warned that this is part of the madate Malawian people gave to late President President Bingu Wa Mutharika because of the constitution which is sacrosanct that Banda mush adhere and respect its supremacy and declare her assets

OPPOSITION

Conquering with the Civil Society the Opposition parties have said that the incumbent president Joyce Banda has failed in her 100 days in office.

The then ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Leader in Parliament George Chaponda said in a telephone interview .

According to DPP the current administration has failed to live people’s expectation by being selective when it comes to constitutional matters.

Chaponda pointed out the failure  to impose section 65  where by members of parliament are not allowed to cross the floor as a major abuse of the constitution