By Edwin Mauluka
President Peter Mutharika has reshuffled his Cabinet, appointing four new deputy ministers and increasing the size of the ministerial team to 28 from 24, just about 100 days into his new term.
In a press statement issued on Monday, Chief Secretary Justin Saidi said the appointments take effect immediately and were made in accordance with presidential powers under Section 92(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi.
Under the changes, Thoko Tembo has been appointed Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, while Chipiliro Mpinganjira becomes Deputy Minister of Natural Resources. Edgar Tembo has been named Deputy Minister of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism, and Charles Chilambula has been appointed Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation.
The reshuffle has also involved the reorganisation of ministerial portfolios. Alfred Gangata, who previously served as Minister of State, has been appointed Minister of Natural Resources following the creation of a standalone ministry split from the former Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining. Jean Mathanga, who served under the previous structure, now takes charge as Minister of Energy and Mining.
Chimwemwe Chipungu has been moved from the Ministry of Defence to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, replacing Jappie Mhango, who has been transferred to the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.
Feston Kaupa, who previously served in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, has been appointed Minister of Defence.
The Cabinet expansion comes amid expectations that President Mutharika would maintain a lean Cabinet, a pledge he made during and after the September 16, 2025 elections, when he suggested his administration would have fewer than 20 ministers.
“The Cabinet shall be very lean,” Mutharika is on record as telling supporters after his election victory. He also warned ministers against poor performance, stating: “I will fire and replace them with someone else. I am not joking.”
The President had further pledged to require ministers to submit monthly performance reports, although it remains unclear whether the latest reshuffle is linked to performance assessments.
Here is the full cabinet list:
1. President and Commander In-chief of the Malawi Defence Force and Malawi Police Services His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika
2. First Vice President Right Honourable Dr. Jane Ansah, SC, JA Rtd
3. Second Vice President Right Honourable Enoch Kamzingeni Chihana
4. Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralization Honourable Joseph Mwanamvekha, MP
5. Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Honourable Roza Fachi Mbilizi, MP
6. Minister of Education, Science and Technology Honourable Bright Msaka, SC
7. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Honourable Charles Mhango
8. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Honourable George T. Chaponda, MP
9. Minister of Health and Sanitation Honourable Madalitso Baloyi, MP
10. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Honourable Ben Malunga Phiri, MP
11. Minister of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism Honourable George Patridge
12. Minister of Transport and Public Works Honourable Jappie Mhango, MP
13. Minister of Homeland Security Honourable Peter Mukhito
14. Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Honourable Mary Navicha, MP
15. Minister of Energy and Mining Honourable Jean Mathanga, MP
16. Minister of Natural Resources Honourable Alfred Gangata, MP
17. Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Honourable Chimwemwe Chipungu, MP
18. Minister of Labour, Skills and Innovation Honourable Joel Chigona, MP
19. Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Honourable Patricia Wiskies, MP
20. Minister of Information and Communications Technology Honourable Shadrick Namalomba, MP
21. Minister of Defence Honourable Feston Kaupa, MP
22. Deputy Minister of Homeland Security (Operations) Honourable Norman Chisale, MP
23. Deputy Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Honourable Martha Ngwira, MP
24. Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology Honourable Francis Foley, MP
25. Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Honourable Thoko Tembo, MP
26. Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Honourable Chipiliro Mpinganjira
27. Deputy Minister of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism Honourable Edgar Tembo
28. Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation Honourable Charles Chilambula, MP
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