By The Forum

A day after Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleman ordered Leader of Opposition Simplex Chithyola Banda to provide proof of his claim that the government had agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to halt youth recruitment, evidence appears to have come from the State House itself.

A circular dated November 6, signed by Chief Secretary to the Government Justin A. Saidi, announced an immediate suspension of government hiring.

“Recruitments have been suspended, including non-established posts, until further notice. On a case-by-case basis, recruitment in essential and critical government services will be considered,” the circular stated.

Speaker Suleman issued the directive on Wednesday after Chithyola, who served as finance minister in the previous administration, alleged that Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha had signed an IMF Extended Credit Facility (ECF) agreement restricting youth employment, civil service promotions, and salary adjustments.

“Malawians would like to know the status of the IMF ECF negotiations and the agreed prior actions,” said Chithyola in Parliament. “Why has the DPP accepted not to recruit youths, not to promote civil servants, and to devalue the Malawi kwacha amid rising unemployment?”

Mwanamvekha quickly dismissed the allegation, standing on a point of order to demand evidence.

“I want to put it on record that this government, led by President Peter Mutharika, will never do anything that harms Malawians,” the finance minister said. “We understand the challenges people are facing, and the president remains committed to his promises.”

Speaker Suleman instructed Chithyola to submit evidence by Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Meanwhile, the same State House circular, titled Expenditure Control Measures, also announced sweeping cost-cutting policies. It placed a moratorium on vehicle purchases and advised ministries and departments to conduct meetings virtually or within office premises to save on travel costs.

Fuel allocations for senior officials, including ministers and deputy ministers, will be reduced by 30 percent with immediate effect. The government also plans to downsize its diplomatic missions, limiting each embassy to no more than five officials, including the ambassador or high commissioner.