Bishop Mtumbuka criticizes Malawi government over service collapse

During a Mass celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Catholic Church’s presence in Malawi, Bishop Martin Mtumbuka, President of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a sharp critique of the nation’s current administration and the state of public services.

Bishop Mtumbuka declared that the national system has collapsed, citing severe delays in essential services. He noted that while passport processing once took a week under former President Kamuzu Banda, it now takes up to two years. He also highlighted that visa wait times for missionary priests have extended to five years.

The Bishop condemned rampant corruption, alleging that officials siphon funds from public institutions, leaving hospitals without drugs and local councils without resources. He further addressed the daily hardships faced by citizens, including frequent electricity blackouts, dry water taps, and a rising cost of living. Mtumbuka urged politicians to move away from insults and political rivalry to focus on fixing the fundamental problems affecting Malawians.