President Chakwera faces intimidation, pressure to misuse his powers

President Dr Lazarus Chakwera says is facing intimidation and pressure from people who require him to misuse his powers.

Chakwera has disclosed this during official opening of first ever national conference on separation of powers co-hosted by legislature, Judiciary and Executive arms of government.

Chakwera said many citizens are not aware of functions of presidents according to law hence their expectations from president resemble that of one party era.

The executive head said such expectations contradict the oath that he took as president as well as principles of separations of power.

“The sooner the nation corrects the distorted view of state power the better for the nation,” Chakwera

He therefore hopes that the conference will help foster mindset change and identify areas of concern to ensure that separation of powers be catalyst for development and not a hindrance

Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda suggested coordinating the three arms of government despite having separate powers in order to serve Malawians well

In her remarks speaker of parliament Catherine Gotani Hara said the conference provides an opportunity to take a collective assessment of issues relating to practical application of principle of separation of power as a cornerstone of a vibrant and robust democratic dispensation.