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| National |
| Madise’s trip remains in the mist |
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by
Tadala Makata Kakwesa, 02 September 2004
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09:36:01
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President Bingu wa Mutharika is going to make his own independent decision on whether to send Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) president Sunduzwayo Madise to Geneva.
Chief Secretary for the President and Cabinet Bright Msaka said on Wednesday the new government is not ready to send Madise without looking at how relevant his trip will be.
“Is the President not capable enough to make his own independent decisions? When you look at him, do you think he can fail to decide on his own? Would you, yourself, be happy to see the President failing to make his independent decisions?” asked Msaka.
He said government was in the process of rationalising its budget and making sure that there is a proper representation of people in its embassies.
“We are trying to cut the suit according to the size of our cloth and this usually takes time. We need to look at how many missions we should have and how best we can utilise them before making a final decision.” the chief secretary said.
Former president Bakili Muluzi announced during Labour Day commemoration activities Madise would be sent to Geneva to become Malawi’s representative on labor issues but up to now he has not been sent.
According to Msaka, “if and only if it will be possible for government to open up an embassy in Geneva, it will not look at individuals but their levels of qualification and ranks”, adding that vacancies will be advertised for those interested.
But when asked if his response meant that Madise was no longer going to get the position and if his trip was not certain, the chief secretary said he does not know if MCTU president was still going to be sent.
“That decision is made by the President himself and mind you, the President can never be forced. He has to appoint people according to capabilities without individualising them,” Msaka responded.
Msaka said the issue of appointing people to represent government in missions is a government issue that needs a lot of resources and it is not possible and proper for “our President” to make moves just because they were left or not completed by his predecessor.
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