Catholic bishops criticize Muluzi

Malawi’s seven Roman Catholic bishops have criticised President Bakili Muluzi’s administration, over allegations of corruption within his government, new reports said on Monday. “Most of our people are experiencing frustration and (get) upset when they see how people elected to public office quickly get very rich and live in luxury, while masses are in poverty,” the bishops said in a pastoral letter issued on Sunday.

The letter said revelations of widespread corruption and fraud in the public sector had undermined people’s trust in their elected officials. “These abuses have to be dealt with firmly and without exception of persons if we are to restore the confidence of the citizens,” the letter added.

Reports said about 10,000 copies of the Lenten letter, published in two local languages and in English, were circulated in parishes throughout the country and read in Catholic churches on Sunday. In 1992, the bishops issued their first pastoral letter, which condemned human rights abuses as well as social and economic disparities under the regime of dictator Kamuzu Banda.