Ntaba argues VP’s ‘constructive resignation’

Presidential spokesman Hetherwick Ntaba has argued that Vice President Joyce Banda's removal on the cabinet list has come about because of her constructive resignation after what he claimed was her constant absenteeism from cabinet meeting and state functions.

However, the vice president has dismissed the claims saying she is being sidelined but insisted she will remain the country's second-in-command because her position -like that of the president – is a constitutional office.

"There is nowhere the vice president appears in the regular functions of the government at the moment, "Ntaba said on Friday on Daybreak Malawi programme on Capital Radio.

"She has pulled herself out. She doesn't attend government meetings; she doesn't attend any state function. She de facto removed herself from cabinet," argued Ntaba.

Ntaba: Joyce Banda is not functionally vice president

"She has removed herself from any functions of the cabinet. She has not been to cabinet meetings, she doesn't come. She has been invited to government functions, she doesn't come," added Ntaba.

"Constitutionally she is still the country's vice president by functionally and in any other way she is not the country's vice president," said Ntaba.

But Banda countered that she did not make constructive resignation, saying as Vice-President she awaits the President to assign her duties.

"I’m not surprised because the constitution also allows the President to delegate," she said.

Banda, married to former Chief Justice Richard, said legally as long as she is still vice-president she is automatically part of the cabinet.

“The Constitution of Malawi clearly states that the Vice-President of the Republic shall be a member of Cabinet, so based on that part of the Constitution I’m a member of the Cabinet unless that part of the Constitution is changed by Parliament,” she said.

Banda denied that she has been absconding cabinet meetings saying the last time she was invited was in January.

"You have to receive a cabinet bag, an invitation and an agenda go to cabinet," said Banda, who was expelled from ruling DPP and has since formed her People's Party.

Banda said President Mutharika removed all her roles last year but she is still carrying out hr constitutional duties.

Soon after the 2009 elections Mutharika assigned Banda the oversight roles over Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), HIV/AIDS, Safe Motherhood and Maternal Health and Disaster and Relief Administration.

Mutharika has since taken over NGOs and Disaster and Relief Administration oversight role while he has assigned the HIV/AIDS, Safe Motherhood and Maternal Health oversight roles to his new wife, First Lady Callista, who on protocol government lists appeared to be second-in command.

Nyasa Times 09 Sep, 2011

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Source: http://www.nyasatimes.com/national/ntaba-argues-vp%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%98constructive-resignation%e2%80%99/
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