While ordinary Malawians continue to grapple with the effects of economic hardship and austerity measures, State House has reportedly increased duty allowances for its staff by as much as 300 percent.
Junior officers, who were previously receiving K285,000, are now reportedly getting K895,000 in duty allowances, while senior officers have seen their allowances rise from K630,000 to K1,890,000 per month.And these figures are duty allowances alone excluding the employees’ monthly salaries and allowances pocketed when President Mutharika moves out of duty station like Kamuzu palace to other state residences( Sanjika, Chikokobay or Mzuzu)
Cables can confidently reveal .
On top of that , they are walking home with salaries according to government scaling and grades plus extra income to cover their utility bills.
The increase is said to be aimed at cushioning State House staff against the prevailing economic hardship.
The development raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to austerity at a time when ordinary Malawians are being asked to tighten their belts and endure painful economic measures.
“Awa ndi ma allowance okha, minus salary,” one observer remarked, pointing out the stark contrast between the benefits enjoyed by those in the corridors of power and the struggles facing ordinary citizens.
The message is clear: the pain of austerity is for ordinary Malawians, while those at State House have already cushioned themselves from the economic storm.
As millions of Malawians struggle with rising prices and shrinking purchasing power, the reported increase in State House duty allowances is expected to fuel further debate over whether austerity measures are being applied fairly or whether, once again, the burden is being left almost entirely on the shoulders of ordinary citizens.
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