Chakwera insists JB must apologise over Malawi cashgate
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera has maintained his call for President Joyce Banda to apologise to the nation at large for the financial malfeasance at Capital Hill – dubbed as cashgate – saying the way government I tackling the matter is cosmetic.
Chakwera on Saturday during a rally at Daka, in Lilongwe repeated what he told reporters on Friday at MCP headquarters shortly after arriving from US and South Africa that President Banda must apologise to Malawians for the cashgate scandal.
“Instead of apologising and taking responsibility for these failures; theft of taxpayers money and disrespect for hard-working Malawians — President Joyce Banda and her government are celebrating these failures as a great fight against corruption.
“The President and her government continue to create excuses. So far, steps taken to address this crisis are largely cosmetic. The cash-gate is now being referred to as a breakthrough by the Joyce Banda government. Looting of public funds and protecting those responsible is one of the greatest crimes any government can commit against its citizens,” explained Chakwera.
He stated that despite more arrests being made, enough is not being done in dealing with the problem.
Said Chakwera: “This is not a matter to be washed away by debates in Parliament and newspaper articles or press statements. It is a matter that requires swift action. Today, I am sad to say no such action has taken place.”
But ruling PP deputy spokesman Ken Msonda defended President Banda in a statement, saying she initiated the fight against coruption at Capital Hill
“Malawians will not forget to remember that it took the courage, seriousness and commitment by H.E. Dr Mrs Joyce Banda to put in strict measures, seal all loopholes in the IFMIS to address this evil called corruption in our midst,” said Msonda.
Msoda said President Banda should be hailed “for doing what men failed to do over the years” in fight graft.
However, Chakwera demanded justice, saying fair play and transparency in the process of justice delivery should be observed in the matter.
He bemoaned trial by the media over the looting matter, saying trial is essentially a process to be carried out by the courts where justice will be delivered.
