By Beatrice Bangula

Blantyre, April 14, Mana:  Minister of Trade and Industry, Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba has promised to bring sanity in businesses, saying his ministry will not hesitate to close down businesses operating contrary to President Chakwera’s administration's vision.

Mumba made the assurance on Sunday at Njamba Freedom Park in Blantyre during Malawi Congress Party’s (MCP) mega rally, which attracted thousands of people from the south and eastern region.

Recently, the minister took a series of surprise visits to companies and shops that sell bales of second-hand clothes, where he discovered business malpractices ranging from pricing to labour issues.

Mumba told the rally that he will continue to deliver within his trade ministry mandate in line with President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera's vision that seeks to improve the living standards of Malawians.

After being appointed Minister of Trade and Industry, Mumba told the gathering that he engaged with many wholesalers and companies to discuss the price decrease of commodities in the best interest of Malawians.

“I have been engaging with wholesalers such that there will be a reduction in prices of most commodities, such as bread, sugar, cooking oil, and soap, on the market. Discussions with Illovo Sugar Limited are underway, and very soon you will hear something big,” he added.

Engineer Mumba then called for unity and support among Malawians ahead of the September 16 general elections so that President Chakwera should continue leading Malawians.

He said Malawians need Chakwera’s servant and visionary leadership that should see Malawi going forward.

Mumba therefore discouraged tribalism, saying this trend has no room in modern society as Malawi has a development agenda to achieve.

“I am from the northern side of Malawi, but came all the way to marry here in the southern region, and this should give us a picture that we are all one. Let us unite in achieving a better Malawi despite coming from different regions,” he added.

Mumba therefore said he will work hard to ensure that President Chakwera remains President of the Republic of Malawi, come September 16.

“As Vitumbiko Mumba, I will run up and down to ensure Chakwera wins the elections. You all have seen the work of my hands when l was Minister of Labour,” he added.

“I did my best in making sure that our people are not oppressed and their rights are not taken away by their employers,” Mumba added.    

In his remarks, MCP executive member Brown Mpinganjira called on Malawians to trust Chakwera’s leadership, saying Malawi will continue transforming with his leadership, citing infrastructural development in many parts of Malawi.

“Chakwera will continue to rule Malawi with your vote. Give him your vote so that Malawi can continue to move forward.

“This is why Chakwera chose ministers that deliver accordingly,” he said, citing Engineer Mumba’s performance in his ministerial posts.

Before Njamba Freedom Park’s rally in Blantyre, Mumba held a Public Lecture at the University of Malawi’s Great Hall in Zomba under the theme:  People Over Politics