DPP SAID IS THE POLICY TO CLEARLY SEPARATE GOVT AND PARTY

DPP SAID IS THE POLICY TO CLEARLY SEPARATE GOVTAND PARTY

 The responsible Minister, Patricia Kaliati, who is also government spokesperson, reiterated that it is the policy of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led administration to clearly separate government and party functions.

Kaliati said this in response to a Malawi News article alleging that the ruling party use government vehicles for party functions.

"It is erroneous, wrong and unsupported to claim these are old-habits-die-hard for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led Government.

"The story quotes both the Chief Secretary to Government, Mr. George Mkondiwa and Secretary for Natural Resources and, Energy and Mining, Mr. Kester Kaphaizi who all expressed
ignorance on the matter and clearly stated that it is not Government policy to use Government vehicles for party functions.

"Even the DPP Secretary General, Honourable Ecklen Kudontoni and DPP Regional Governor for the North, Honourable Kenneth Sanga, distanced the party from the alleged ferrying of supporters using a government vehicle," explained Kaliati in a statement issued on Saturday.

Kaliati noted that the paper--despite having correct information--went ahead to bend the truth by accusing DPP of abusing state resources and not respecting the separation of party and government functions.

"We believe the fact that both the Government and DPP distanced themselves from the alleged incident should have been enough for the Malawi News to stop painting the party and Government of abuse of tax payers’ money.

"The Public Sector Reforms under implementation will go ahead and will not be derailed by a few misguided individuals as well as a hyped up press bent on discrediting government at each and every turn notwithstanding the good progress the country is making under the DPP led administration," highlighted further Kaliati.

She then said government is still committed to supporting the freedom of the press and advised the media to move away from "cold media tactics and for once move into positive, ethical and progressive reporting practice which we can all align with and for once be proud of".