LILONGWE, MALAWI: President Bingu wa Mutharika today unveiled his new cabinet after two weeks since dissolving it. Heavyweights Goodal Gondwe and vocal Patricia Kaliati have made it back in the high offices of Natural Resources, Energy and Environment and Information and Civic Education replacing Grain Malunga and Symon Vuwa Kaunda. Ironically, the cabinet also includes the First Lady and systematically 'fires' Vice President Joyce Banda.

However, a lawyer has expressed Section 92 of the Constitution makes it mandatory the cabinet to consist of the Vice President.

"It also makes it clear that it shall only consist of the President and, the Vice President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers. The inclusion of the First Lady in the cabinet whn she is not a Minister or Deputy Minister makes the so called cabinet even more unconstitutional. Do we need to move the courts on this?" said Lilongwe-based prominent lawyer, Wapona Kita, in his post on Facebook.

The cabinet, with some deputy ministers, has also come after civil society including the legal fraternity bemoaned delays, saying it was unconstitutional to go two weeks without a cabinet. Mutharika was also facing pressure from the general public through civil society, faith groups and the opposition to trim his large cabinet.

The new cabinet, also featu5res Mutharika himself as Ptresident, Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, Statutory Corporations, civil Service and Civil Society. He has also maintained his wife Callista as Safemotherhood Coordinator, Maternal and Child Health, HIV and AIDS, Nutrition, Malaria and TB Coordinator.

His brother, Peter, has taken over from Dr. Etta Banda at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, probably making him the number three in the 20-strong cabinet with 11 deputy ministers.

Former Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture, Dr. Ken Lipenga, has taken over from Ken Kandodo at the Ministry of Finance and Dr. George Chaponda returns to Education, Science and Technology.

Banda is the most prominent casulaty in the new line at Capital Hill, following her falling out with her boss over what she described as persecution, lack of acceptance of advice on policy issues, and political intimidation. She has since launched her own political party, the Peoples Party (PP) after been dumped by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Casualties include Abbie Shawa, Billy Kaunda, Grain Malunga, Eunice Kazembe, Etta Banda, Anna Kachikho, Ken Kandodo, and Eunice.

The following is the full list of the new cabinet:-

President. Commander in Chief of Armed Forces, Statutory Corporations, Civil Service and Civil Society: His Excellency PRESIDENT BINGU WA MUTHARIKA

Safemotherhood Coordinator, Maternal and Child Health, HIV and Aids, Nutrition, Malaria and TB Coordinator: H.E Callitsa Mutharika: The First Lady of the Republic

Deputy Minister in the Office of the President and Cabinet: Mr. Nicholas Dausi
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation: Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, Deputy Minister: Mr. Kondwani Nankhumwa

Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Affairs: Mr. Goodall Gondwe, Deputy Minister: Vera Flamenga Chelewani

Minister of Education, Science and Technology: Dr. George Chaponda
Deputy Minister: (Basic Education) Wictor Songazaudzu Sajeni (Higher Education) Otiria Jere

Minister of Finance; Dr. Ken Lipenga, Deputy Minister: Dr. Cornelius Mwalwanda

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security: Professor Peter Mwanza, Deputy Minister: Magret Roka Mauwa, Deputy Minister: Kingsely Namakhwa

Minister Justice: Mr. Ephraim Chiume

Minister of Transport and Public Infrastructure: Mr. Sidik Mia, Deputy Minister: Catherine Gotani Hara

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development: Mr. Henry Mussa
Deputy Minister: Chimango Chimpimpha Mughogho-Gondwe

Minister of Information and Civic Education: Mrs Patricia Kaliati

Minister of Trade and Industry: Mr. John Bande

Minister of Lands: Mr. Yunus Mussa, Deputy Minister: Rev. Dr. Christopher Ngwira

Minister of Home Affairs: Mr. Aaron Sangala

Minister of Gender: Mrs. Reene Kachere, Deputy Minister; Ms Nasrin Pillane

Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture: Mr. Daniel Liwimbi

Minister of Labour: Dr. Lucious Kanyumba

Minister of Youth and Sports: Mr. Symon Vuwa Kaunda

Minister of Health: Dr. Jean Kalirani, Deputy Minister: Ralph Jooma

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