Bingu’s son selling cars at give-away prices
Former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika’s only son, Madalitso is said to have sold a number of vehicles on a give away prices after the tax collecting body, Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), demanded duty on Mutharika’s personal 41 vehicles he purchased duty free while he was in power.
Madalitso is reported to have sold the vehicles while his sisters – Duwa Mubaira and Tapiwa Mutharika – were out of the country on holiday.
According to sources at Ndata Palace in Thyolo, Madalisto sold a Toyota 4X4 Double cabin worth K18 million . He sold it at a give away price of K2 million.
He has also sold other vehicles and his sister Duwa asked for help from Police to trace them.
MRA Commission General John Biziwick on October 23, 2012, wrote the late Mutharika’s young brother, Peter Mutharika, a letter referenced number MRA/CE/TECH/30:00 demanding the said customs duty.
Biziwick attached registration numbers and the vehicles make such as Nissan Pickup, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu KB, Iveco Eurostar, Mercedez Benz CLK240, KIA Sportage, TATA LTP7135, Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Land Cruiser and MF Tractor among others, some of which belong to Bineth Farm.
But in response, Professor Peter Mutharika, the late president’s wife Callista and his daughter Tapiwa Mutharika rushed to court through the Chamgwanjira and Company law firm, seeking an injunction saying they have a constitutional right to property and freedom from arbitrary deprivation.
In the affidavit supporting notice of application to apply for judicial review, Tapiwa wants the court to quash the demand for payment of the said customs duty, an order quashing MRA’s decision to seize the vehicles, an order prohibiting the impounding of the vehicles and an injunction restraining MRA from effecting their decision.
High Court Judge Healey Potani granted the Mutharikas an injunction restraining the MRA from effecting their action.
According to Tapiwa’s affidavit, her father was entitled to importing limitless duty free vehicles under Schedule Part 1 of the President (Salaries and Benefits) Act Cap2:02 of the Law of Malawi.
But Biziwick says in his letter that no person other than the late President is entitled to the privilege and cannot therefore take or use the vehicles before duty is paid.
Mutharika’s children have been fighting with their step mother Callitsa Mutharika over the administration of the deceased’s estate.
The children argued that Mutharika’s property was under a Bineth Trust, which he and his first wife, late Ethel, founded.
The children are some of the beneficiaries of the trust.
But Callista argued that at the time of Mutharika’s death, she was the legally married to the president.
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