The president of Malawi, Peter Mutharika has sacked Vice President Saulos Chilima on Wednesday in a cabinet reshuffle, the government said, ahead of a presidential election next year in which Chilima is seen as the biggest threat to Mutharika.
Chilima had quit the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in July in protest against alleged corruption in Malawi. The country has been rocked by scandals for the past 10 years.
The issue has resurfaced elections scheduled for next year draw closer, where the country is also due to elect a new parliament and ward councillors.
In July, the president’s office withdrew Chilima’s security clearance, saying he would only have that privilege when performing government duties.
Chilima’s name was not on the list of members of cabinet which the chief secretary to the government, Lloyd Muhara, released. No replacement for him has been named yet.
