By Edwin Mauluka
The UTM Party has criticised President Peter Mutharika for failing to address calls for fresh investigations into the 2024 plane crash that killed former Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima, while also faulting his economic recovery approach.
In a statement issued by Secretary General Willet Karonga, the party said the State of the Nation Address (SONA) was silent on a matter of national importance.
“This is not a peripheral issue; it is a national wound that remains open. Malawians deserve truth, accountability and closure,” said Karonga.
UTM said the government had previously committed to reviewing the matter but has yet to deliver, warning that continued silence undermines public trust.
On the economy, the party argued that the President’s address lacked a coherent and data-driven recovery strategy, saying key reform claims were not backed by measurable results.
It noted that while the government highlighted measures such as removing ghost workers and cutting expenditure, it did not provide figures on savings or their impact on the economy.
The party further criticised what it described as a reliance on short-term interventions — such as maize purchases, fertiliser subsidies and fuel imports — instead of long-term structural reforms.
UTM called for a shift toward production-led growth, including investment in irrigation, mechanisation, agro-processing and export-oriented industries to strengthen food security and economic resilience.
On fiscal policy, the party warned of inconsistencies between austerity measures and increased spending commitments, cautioning that this could widen deficits, fuel inflation and strain the exchange rate.
It also raised concern over rising taxes, saying they are placing pressure on households and businesses, and called for a broader tax base that is fair to all to support sustainable revenue generation.
The party also stressed the need for stronger governance and accountability in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), alongside transparent public sector appointments to safeguard institutional capacity.
Despite the criticism, UTM acknowledged some positive steps by the government, including efforts to stabilise fuel supply, procure maize, and improve fertiliser distribution, as well as commitments to infrastructure, education and health.
The party said Malawi’s recovery will depend on a coordinated and disciplined economic programme anchored in fiscal responsibility, export growth and strong institutions.
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